Chromatographic investigation of the β-carotene content of serum of the newborn infant

Abstract

The total carotenoids in fetal serum ranged from 8-29 [gamma]/100 ml. The proportion of [beta]-carotene in the total carotenoids was markedly lower in the infant''s than in the mother''s serum in all cases. There was no significant variation of the percentage [beta]-carotene of total carotenoids in the maternal serum during the time near term. A micro chromatographic technique for the separation of the carotenoids of serum is descr.