Carotenoids in Grapefruit, Citrus Paradisi

Abstract

Samples of fruit of Marsh White, Marsh Pink and Ruby grapefruit were analyzed for their carotenoid components. No lycopene and only a trace of beta-carotene were found in the Marsh White, the common grapefruit of commerce. The Marsh Pink, a sport of Marsh White, showed beta-carotene to be predominant, with some all-trans lycopene. Further sporting of Marsh Pink to yield Ruby gave fruit in which the beta-carotene content was somewhat increased, but lycopene now surpassed it in absolute quantity. Low levels of zeta-carotene and phytofluene were found in all cases.