Studies on betaxanthin profiles of vegetables and fruits from the Chenopodiaceae and Cactaceae

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2007 May-Jun;62(5-6):311-8. doi: 10.1515/znc-2007-5-601.

Abstract

The present study provides an update on the betaxanthin (bx) compositions of red and yellow beetroots, yellow-coloured Swiss chard petioles, and yellow-orange cactus pear. Applying RP-HPLC coupled with positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry and by comparison with UV-vis and mass spectrometric characteristics as well as retention times of semi-synthesized reference compounds, 24 betaxanthins were identified in red and yellow beetroot hypocotyls. Twenty-five and thirteen betaxanthins were present in yellow Swiss chard petioles and the cactus pear cultivar 'Gialla', respectively. Ethanolamine-bx and threonine-bx were found to be novel betaxanthins in Chenopodiaceae representatives, which to the best of our knowledge have not been reported as genuine pigments so far. Furthermore, aspartic acid-bx (miraxanthin II), lysine-bx, and methionine-bx, hitherto found in other families, were identified in the Chenopodiaceae for the first time. Additionally, tyrosine-bx (portulacaxanthin II) and tryptophan-bx have not been earlier reported to occur in the Cactaceae. These findings provide valuable phytochemical information and may be useful for a better understanding of the functional properties of betaxanthins in plants.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Beta vulgaris / chemistry
  • Cactaceae / chemistry*
  • Chenopodiaceae / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Picolinic Acids / analysis*
  • Picolinic Acids / isolation & purification
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Vegetables / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Picolinic Acids
  • betaxanthin