Beta-carotene, lycopene, and alpha-tocopherol contents of selected Thai fruits

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 mu g/100 g of edible portion, lycopene content from undetectable up to 6693 mu g/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 mu g/serving) and lycopene (11,378 mu g/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. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.