Extraction of carotenoid standards from different plant species and verification of their effectiveness in Ecuadorian ornamental flowers as a feed resource

This project addresses the limitation in the availability and high cost of pure carotenoid standards, which are essential for accurate identification of individual compounds via liquid chromatography. The study focuses on the extraction and isolation of these standards from known plant sources, such as beetroot and carrot, using techniques like column chromatography and purity verification by HPLC. Subsequently, this methodology will be applied to 18 species of Ecuadorian ornamental flowers, selected for their red, orange, and yellow hues, to quantify their total carotenoid and phenolic compound contents. Carotenoid extraction will be optimized using multiple solvents (acetone, methanol, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate) and a saponification process. The lyophilized flower extracts will be analyzed by HPLC, contrasting the results with the obtained standards. Furthermore, the extraction of individual phenolic compounds will be investigated using different solvents and sonication/vortex methods. The ultimate goal is to establish a relationship between the bioactive compounds present in these flowers and their potential health benefits, given their increasing inclusion in gastronomy.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>The main objective is the extraction and isolation of carotenoid standards from various plant species, followed by the quantification of bioactive compounds (carotenoids and phenolics) in 18 Ecuadorian ornamental flowers to assess their potential as a food resource.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Efficient alternatives for food and nutrition