The sample dissolved in the solvent mixture, consisting
of 1:2 chloroform:acetone, was injected in 20 ll units. The column
temperature was controlled at 30 C by a column heater (Sugai U-
620, Japan) and detection was measured at 450 nm. Detector signals
were recorded using BORWIN Chromatography software. Peaks of
lycopene and b-carotene were identified by comparing the retention
time in the extract with standard compounds. The content of lycopene
and b-carotene in the extract were estimated by comparing
the peak areas with their respective standards. Calibration curves
of the standards were prepared by plotting standard concentrations
(0.25–4 mg/mL) versus their peak areas detected at 5.7 and 8.9 min
for lycopene and b-carotene, respectively. All samples were analyzed
in duplicate. The recovery of lycopene and b-carotene in the
extract at each extraction condition is cited as mean ± standard
deviation.