O. Dóka¹, M. Máté², D. Székely², I. Jócsák³, G. Ficzek⁴, G. Simon⁴ and G. Végvári^5
1 Department of Physics and Chemistry, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Informatics and Electrical Engineering, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary
² Department of Fruit and Vegetable Processing Technology, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
³ Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agronomy, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kaposvár, Hungary
⁴ Department of Fruit Growing, Institute of Horticulture, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
⁵ Institute of Viticulture and Oenology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Eger, Hungary

SUMMARY The analytical performance of the proposed laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy (LBPAS) and optothermal window (OW) method for quantification of β-carotene content in sea buckthorn juices is compared to that of the conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both photothermal techniques (laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy (LBPAS) and optothermal window (OW)) are direct methods that unlike HPLC obviate the need for the extraction of the analyte. The outcome of the study leads to the conclusion that LBPAS and OW are both suitable for quick screening of ß-carotene in sea buckthorn juices. The β-carotene content of the samples changed due to the added sea buckthorn pomace and storage time. The correlation between the two methods and HPLC is linear with R2=0.9897 for LBPAS and R2=0.9928 for OW, respectively. Both methods are capable of the rapid and non-destructive determination of β-carotene in sea buckthorn juices without a need for sample pre-treatment. Keywords β-carotene, HPLC, laser based photoacoustic spectroscopy, optothermal window, sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.)

Significance of this study What is already known on this subject? Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) is very rich in biologically active compounds such as: carotenoids, flavonoids, amino acids, oligo-elements unsaturated lipids and vitamins. The most active representative of total carotenoids in sea buckthorn juice is β-carotene. The extent to which processed foods, such as sea buckthorn juice, contain carotenoids is important to consumers, so there are several different methods for the determination of carotenoids from plant samples. Laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy and optothermal window are tools for the rapid and non-destructive identification of different constituents of materials and is putatively an effective tool for the determination of β-carotene content of sea buckthorn juices as well. What are the new findings? Photothermal methods, LBPAS and OW, were examined as rapid, simple and useful analytical tools to quantify β-carotene in sea buckthorn juices. The amounts of β-carotene (the concentration range extends from 1.65 to 7.95 mg mL-1) were collected using the HPLC as a reference method to calibrate the response of LBPAS and OW respectively. The correlation between the LBPAS signal and the concentration of β-carotene was highly linear; the same conclusion applies to OW data as well. In conclusion, LBPAS and OW were both proven useful to assay β-carotene in sea buckthorn juices and can as such be used in product quality control. What is the expected impact on horticulture? The integration of photothermal methods, LBPAS and OW into the process of quality measurements of fruit juices, will provide the possibility of a fast, cost effective and reliable determination of important quality traits, such as β-carotene content.

E-mail: vegvari.gyorgy@uni-eszterhazy.hu  

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Received: 16 November 2020 | Accepted: 12 January 2021 | Published: 19 October 2021 | Available online: 19 October 2021