. Total carotenoids. The total carotenoids content was performed by scanning spectrophotometry using methods described by Rodriguez-Amaya (1999). Quantification was calculated using the absorption at the wavelength of maximum absorption and the A value of 2592, in petroleum ether, to calculate the total amount of carotenoids. Values were expressed as เบต้า-carotene, in g/g of the lipid fraction.