Provitamin A carotenoids in typical maize include R-carotene,
â-carotene, and â-cryptoxanthin; however, concentrations are
typically low and range from 0 to 0.70, 0.07 to 1.46, and 0.07
to 1.05 íg/g and average 0.09, 0.31, and 0.41 íg/g, respectively
(1). In addition to these carotenoids, maize also contains 0.4 to
32 íg/g lutein and 0.5 to 28 íg/g zeaxanthin, which are known
antioxidants (1). Efforts by maize breeders have increased the
provitamin A carotenoid content, e.g., 11 íg/g, and these
carotenoids are nutritionally available (2). In order to direct
breeding efforts of biofortified maize, the accurate assessment
of carotenoids, especially â-carotene, is essential.