Studies on the carotenoids of jakfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) from Matale and Kurunegala Districts

The kernels of ripe jakfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) (Sinhala: waraka) is widely consumed in Sri Lanka. Specimens were collected from Kurunegala and Matale Districts. The yellow fruit kernels were found to contain carotenoids. The variations from specimen to specimen were manifest not only in total content but also in components. β-Carotene varied from traces to 50, α-carotene from traces to 20.5, lutein from 2.7 to 221.5 μg. 100-1g of dry weight (DW). A range of contents was also shown in unidentified fractions. Retinol equivalent (RE) and retinol activity equivalent (RAE) varied from traces to 10 and 5/100g DW, respectively. The major compounds common to all samples in the saponified petroleum ether extract were lutein and unidentified fraction II as determined by Open Column Chromatography (OCC), Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and chemical tests. A carboxylic acid carotenoid was extracted into the alkaline water layer after saponification and tentatively identified by its chemical characteristics and spectrum as crocetin. In vitro bioaccessibility was low (∼ 8%) probably due to the rubbery texture of the kernel.

Key words: Artocarpus heterophyllus, carotenoids, in vitro bioaccessibility, jakfruit, retinol equivalent

doi :10.4038/jnsfsr.v35i4.1316

J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2007 35 (4): 259-262