Exploring the phytochemical potential of purple carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) developed at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, UP

Abstract

The present study deals with assessment of polyphenols content (anthocyanins, phenolics and flavonoids), total carotenoids and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ABTS and CUPRAC activity) among tropical purple carrots (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) developed at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, UP, India. Higher amounts of monomeric anthocyanins (218.0 mg 100g-1 FW), phenolic compounds (263.9 mg GAE 100g-1 FW) and total flavonoids (122.2 mg CE 100g-1 FW) have been estimated in black carrots which are correspondingly 13.6-, 6.8- and 8.7–times more than rainbow carrots. Moreover, the polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity were very strongly associated with each other having correlation coefficients between 0.932** to 0.997**. Further, higher correlation values of total phenolics over flavonoids with anthocyanins indicating that anthocyanins represent a large fraction of the phenolics which is related with better stability of anthocyanin pigment as food colorant. Overall, this work highlights that tropical black carrot and its cultivar Kashi Krishna is one of the richest sources of plant derived anthocyanins, phenolics and flavonoids; having better anthocyanin yield potential; and greater antioxidative capacity. Therefore, considering the health and nutritional benefits, multifarious uses and industrial importance of plant derived natural anthocyanins, black carrot could be potentially used as pigment crop.