[Quantification of carotenoids of spirilloxanthin series from anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria by substitute reference standard calibration function method].

Objective: In this study, we developed a strategy for accurate, rapid and simultaneous quantification of six carotenoids by substitute reference standard.
Methods: We prepared six carotenoid standards of spirilloxanthin series from Rhodopesudomonnas palustris CQV97 by spectrophotometry, thin layer chromatography and HPLC. The simultaneous quantification method for six carotenoids was established by HPLC using tartrazine and lycopene as substitute reference standards.
Results: We established the HPLC fingerprinting of carotenoids of spirilloxanthin series. The quantitative calibration function relationships between two substitute reference standards and six carotenoids were explored. Based on the quantitative calibration function relationships, we quantitatively analyzed carotenoid contents of two samples of CQV97 and YL28 strains. The RSD and recovery of carotenoid contents determined by substitute reference standards method were consistent with quantitative analysis of carotenoid standards method.
Conclusion: The substitute reference standards were capable of accurately transmitting the quantitative relationship of tested samples. The method could realize the simultaneous quantification of six carotenoids.