DETERMINATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF TOTAL CAROTENOIDS IN PERSIMMON BY USING COLORIMETRIC METHOD

The present study was carried out to determine and quantify the total carotenoid content in persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki) using a colorimetric method. Fresh ripe fruits were collected, shade-dried, powdered, and extracted using acetone and ethanol by maceration. Qualitative tests and Thin Layer Chromatography confirmed the presence of carotenoids such as β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, with an Rf value of 0.96. Quantitative estimation was performed using β-carotene as a standard. The maximum absorbance (λmax) was observed at 470 nm. A calibration curve was prepared at different concentrations, and the absorbance of the fruit extract at 470 nm was found to be 1.14. The total carotenoid content in 10 g of persimmon fruit dry powder was calculated to be 0.00188 g, corresponding to 0.018%. The study demonstrates that persimmon fruit contains measurable amounts of carotenoids, and the colorimetric method employed is simple, economical, and suitable for routine analysis and quality control applications.