Application of a validated method for the determination of provitamin A carotenoids in Indonesian foods of different maturity and origin

Provitamin A carotenoids were measured using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method in a number of selected leafy vegetables of different maturity and origin, sweet potatoes, and mangos from Indonesia. Mean provitamin A content per 100 g of edible portion was 492 retinol equivalents (RE) for water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica; n = 8), 640 RE for spinach (Amaranthus viridis; n = 8), 1776 RE for cassava leaves (Manihot utulissima; n = 8), 992 RE for papaya leaves (Carica papaya; n = 9), 1889 RE for sweet shoot leaves (Sauropus androgynus; n = 4), 289 RE for jointfir spinach (Gnetum gemon; n = 2), 6 RE for sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas; n = 22), and 250 RE for mango (Mangifera indica; n = 11). Provitamin A content was significantly higher in dark green (mature) leaves (24% on average) than in young leaves. Leafy vegetables collected on the market had significantly lower levels of provitamin A compared to those of field samples (19% on average). Provitamin A content for most, but not all, vegetables was lower than values reported in Indonesian food tables.