Beta-carotene, lycopene, and alpha-tocopherol contents of selected Thai fruits.
Charoensiri R., Kongkachuichai R., Suknicom S., Sungpuag P.
Author Affiliation: Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Salaya campus, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon-Pathom 73170, Thailand.
Food Chemistry 113 : 202-207
Abstract : A total of 37 varieties of fresh fruits obtained from six representative markets in Bangkok, Thailand, were determined for their beta-carotene, lycopene, and alpha-tocopherol contents using high performance liquid chromatography. Beta-carotene content ranged from undetectable up to 616 µg/100 g of edible portion, lycopene content from undetectable up to 6693 µg/100 g and vitamin E content from not undetectable up to 1.43 mg/100 g. Red watermelon, Citruluss vulgalis (jin-trarah variety) was the richest source of dietary beta-carotene (1040 µg/serving) and lycopene (11,378 µg/serving), whilst the highest alpha-tocopherol content was found in unripe mango, Mangifera indica (keosawoei variety) with approximately 0.90 mg/75 g of edible portion, providing 9% of the Thai recommended daily intake of vitamin E.