On the photoacoustic, photothermal and colorimetric quantification of carotenoids and other phytonutrients in some foods: a review

The performance of various analytical methods is compared in terms of their potentiality to quantify the concentration of carotenoids in some foods accurately and rapidly. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry (SP), two absolute reference techniques, were used in parallel experiments. The emphasis is on the application of the new methods to significantly reduce the long analysis time (due to a laborious and costly extraction) characteristic for both HPLC and spectrophotometry. Among such direct quantification methods are colorimetry and a variety of novel photoacoustic (PA) and photothermal (PT) detection schemes that obviate the extraction step. The outcome of numerous studies shows a number of important advantages provided by these methods. Furthermore, the promising results suggest that the availability of practical, versatile, compact and affordable quality control instruments that offer a low-cost solution to routine analysis of specific carotenoids in some foods is within reach. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.