36th International Carrot Conference Abstract

Assessment of tocochromanol (vitamin E) content and concentration in wild (Daucus carota L. var. carota) and domesticated carrot (Daucus carota L. var. sativa) during crop production, postharvest storage, and reproductive growth

Claire Luby^a*, Hiroshi Maeda^b, and Irwin Goldman^a

^a University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Horticulture

^b University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Botany

*Presenting author

Carrot roots produce vitamin E (tocochromanol) compounds but little is known about their kinds and amounts. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) which of the eight tocochromanols are present in a variety of carrot accessions and (2) if there is variation in kinds and amounts of tocochromanols throughout the postharvest and reproductive growth stages of the carrot life cycle and in wild carrot root. Of the eight tocochromanol compounds, we detected α-, and the combined peak for β- and γ- forms of tocopherols and tocotrienols. While δ tocopherol and tocotrienol were present in low amounts in some roots, levels were generally below detection thresholds. Significant variation in amounts of tocochromanol compounds was observed among accessions. This is the first report of the identification of β-,γ-, and δ- tocopherol and tocotrienol in carrot root tissue and the first study to report measurements of tocochromanols over the storage and reproductive growth stages of the crop. This is also the first report of tocochromanol presence in wild carrot root tissue. Over both the postharvest storage and reproductive growth phases of carrot, α-tocopherol more than doubled compared to levels in roots at the September harvest. Even though tocochromanols are present, levels of combined tocochromanol compounds are not high enough to be a significant dietary source of vitamin E. The presence of tocochromanol compounds in wild carrot root suggests an evolutionary reason for the accumulation of these compounds in root tissues.

Last updated Thursday, 25-Jul-2013 11:54:58 CDT