The extracts were pooled together and were phase-separated with an equal quantity of hexane. The hexane extract was repeatedly washed with an equal quantity of 0.1% saline to remove traces of acetone if any. The extract was dried with 12.5 g of sodium sulphate, filtered and then evaporated under vacuum at 40 °C using a rotary evaporator. The residual solvent was removed by flushing with nitrogen gas. The extracted carotenoids were subjected to determinations.