The Ratio of Carotene to Carotenoid Pigments in Sweet-potato Varieties.

The fleshy roots of the sweet potato are shown to contain appreciable amounts of yellow pigments other than beta-carotene. The carotene/total-pigment ratio varies among different varieties and within varieties. In the varieties tested, the carotene/total-pigment ratio increased with increase in intensity of yellow color. Triumph, a very light-colored variety, contained a small amount of carotene shortly after harvest, but this soon disappeared in storage.