Carotenoids from guava (Psidium guajava l.): isolation and structure elucidation.

Sixteen carotenoids were isolated from the flesh of Brazilian red guavas (Psidium guajava L.). Their structures were established by means of UV-visible, 400 and 500 MHz (1)H NMR, 120 and 125 MHz (13)C NMR, mass, and circular dichroism spectra. The carotenoids were identified as phytofluene, (all-E)-, (9Z)-, (13Z)-, and (15Z)-beta-carotene, (all-E)-gamma-carotene, (all-E)-, (9Z)-, (13Z)-, and (15Z)-lycopene, (all-E,3R)-beta-cryptoxanthin, (all-E, 3R)-rubixanthin, (all-E,3S,5R,8S)-cryptoflavin, (all-E,3R,3'R, 6'R)-lutein, (all-E,3S,5R,6R,3'S,5'R,8'R)-, and (all-E,3S,5R,6R,3'S, 5'R,8'S)-neochrome. Thirteen of the carotenoids identified are reported as guava carotenoids for the first time.