This research aimed to investigate the effect of thermal processing on carotenoid profile, quantity and
stability in 22 colour-fleshed potato cultivars grown in the Czech Republic. The total of nine carotenoids
was analysed by HPLC using a C30 column and PDA detection. The total carotenoid content for all cultivars
ranged from 1.44 to 40.13 lg/g DM. Yellow cultivars showed a much higher average total carotenoid
content (26.22 lg/g DM) when compared to red/purple-fleshed potatoes (5.69 lg/g DM). Yellow cultivars
were dominated by antheraxanthin, whereas neoxanthin was the main carotenoid in red/purple cultivars.
Thermal processing significantly impacted all potato cultivars. Boiling decreased the total carotenoids
by 92% compared to baking (88%). Lutein was the most stable carotenoid against thermal
processing (decreased by 24–43%) followed by b-carotene (decreased by 78–83%); other carotenoids
were degraded nearly completely. Increased formation of (Z)-isomers by thermal processing has not been
confirmed