EFFECT OF STORAGE ON THE CAROTENOIDS OF TAGETES ERECTA L. FLOWERS

This investigation was conducted during two seasons of 1990 and 1991 to study the chemical changes of Tagetes erects L. flower ca­rotenoids (pigments) as affected by storage condition (temperature and period). The flowers were obtained from plants produced from the Farm of Seds Experimenal Station, Beni-Swaif Governorate, Agricultural Resea­rch Centre, Egypt.. The extract of the fresh flower petals was stored un­der room temperatures (25^°C) refrigerator temperature (5^°C) at 6 mo­nth intervals, i.e. 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively. The obtained results cleared that T.L.C. analysis revealed the presence of 6 compo­nents which were identified as lutein (the main constituent), antheraxan­thin, B. crepto-xanthin, B. carotene, carotene and phytofluence. Lutein and creptoxanthin percentages were increased while B-carotene de­creased by prolonging the storage period under both room and refrigera­tor temperatures. The variation in such compounds was pronounced af­ter 18 months of storage. Generally, slight changes in carotenoid percentages could be observed after 6 and 12 months and were remark­able after 18 and 24 months of storage in comparison with control (0 time). From the result, storage at refrigerator for a period not exceeding 12 months could be recommended to keep marigold carotenoids in a good quality.