A Simple and Fast Microplate Method for Analysis of Carotenoids Content in Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

In this study, we aimed to develop a simple analysis method for measuring the carotenoids content of pepper powder. A 96-wells polystyrene microplate and an ELISA reader were used for analysis. Although ELISA reader with 450 nm filter was applicable to measure carotenoid contents, the surface of microplates were degenerated by acetone used for carotenoids extraction. However, ten-folded dilute of the color extract with methanol did not affect the surface of polystyrene microplate and components of the color extract could be successfully measured by a ELISA reader, showing a high corelation with ASTA-20.1 method. In addition, this method uses 10 fold less acetone than ASTA-20.1 method resulting less acetone waste. The microplate method using ELISA reader has potential power for analyzing a large number of samples which may be very useful to the practical breeding program for high-colored peppers.