Analysis of Carotenoids in Human and Animal Tissues

This chapter describes the extraction of carotenoids from human and animal tissues and subsequent analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The identification and quantitation of carotenoids are routinely accomplished for many types of plant tissues using HPLC techniques, and careful examination of these methods is helpful in developing approaches to analyze human and animal tissues for carotenoids. An accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of carotenoids present in human and animal tissues is dependent on the careful selection of extraction and analytical procedures. Strict adherence to laboratory protocol, which minimizes degradation and/or isomerization of carotenoids during both extraction and analysis procedures, should be observed to ensure accurate results. The procedures and modifications presented in the chapter provide a method by which the major carotenoids present in human and animal tissues may be accurately identified and quantified.