CAROTENOID PROFILE, TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CARROTS

Carotenoid profile, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content of carrot cultivars from three different locations in Turkey were determined during two consecutive years. The major carotenoids determined in carrots were beta-carotene (41.60-71.2 mg/kg FW) and alpha-carotene (13.44-30.11 mg/kg FW). The total phenolic contents of carrots ranged from 114-306 mg catechin/kg FW. The antioxidant activity in carrots determined by the TEAC assay varied between 25.9 and 86.6 mu mol TE/100 g FW. There was considerable variation in carotenoid contents between locations and years among cultivars. Significant differences were found between the two consecutive years in total phenolic contents except for only one cultivar. The level of antioxidant activity in carrots varied significantly over the years.