Estimation of beta carotene from fruit peel wastes by high performance thin layer chromatography

Abstract

Beta carotene is an important molecule that is precursor to vitamin A and possesses multiple health benefits. The present study plans to detect and quantify beta carotenes in fruit peel wastes collected from a beverage production center in Kolkata. Beta carotene was extracted by ethanol: hexane (4:3, v/v) solvent and the extracts were subjected for HPTLC analysis. The result showed presence of significant (P<0.05) amount of beta carotene in orange peels followed by mango peel and pomegranate peel. It could be concluded that feeding of orange peel wastes to animals might be beneficial due to presence of good amount of beta carotene in it.