The samples were extracted using the method
reported previously with some modifications (Olives
Barba et al., 2006). A sample (5 ml) was mixed with 100
ml of extraction solvent containing hexane/ acetone/
ethanol: 50:25:25 (v/v/v). The mixture was magnetically
stirred during 10 min. Then 15 ml of distilled water were
added. The upper layer was collected and placed in
a round-bottomed flask. The solvent was removed by
using rotary evaporator. Hexane was added to the sample.
The absorbance was measured at 450 and 470 nm for
beta-carotene and lycopene determination, respectively.
The quantities of beta-carotene and lycopene werecalculated using extinction coefficient of 2560 M-1
cm-1
for beta-carotene and 3450 M-1
cm-1 for lycopene