PJB-2018-577
Seasonal Variation in Lycopene and β-Carotene Content in Gac Fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng) Genotypes
Natthayaporn Nanta
Abstract
Gac fruit or spiny bitter gourd (Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng) is a good source of lycopene and β-carotene, and it has high potential to be used as functional food. However phytochemicals could be affected by seasonal variations. The objective of this study was to evaluate seasonal variations in lycopene content, beta-carotene content and agronomic traits in Gac fruit. Three Gac fruit genotypes were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and harvested over three seasons. Lycopene and β-carotene content were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The season significantly affected concentrations of lycopene, β-carotene and total carotenoids in Gac fruits. KKU ac.09-030 and KKU ac.10-087 had the highest lycopene in the summer season whilst KKU ac.10-087 also had the highest lycopene in the dry season. Seasonal and genotypic variations were important sources of variations in lycopene, β-carotene and total carotenoids in Gac fruits.
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