Characterization of pollen carotenoids with in situ and high-performance thin-layer chromatography supported resonant Raman spectroscopy

Anal Chem. 2009 Oct 15;81(20):8426-33. doi: 10.1021/ac901389p.

Abstract

Raman signatures of the carotenoid component are studied in individual pollen grains from different species of trees. The information is obtained as differences in the strong pre-resonant Raman spectra measured before and after photodepletion of the carotenoid molecules. The results provide the first in situ evidence of interspecies differences in pollen carotenoid content, structure, and/or assembly between plant species without prior purification. The analysis of carotenoids in situ is confirmed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-supported resonance Raman data measured directly on the HPTLC plates after separation of carotenoids in pollen extracts. Utilization of the in situ, extraction-free procedure in carotenoid analysis will improve sensitivity and structural selectivity and provides insight into carotenoid structure and composition in single pollen grains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carotenoids / analysis*
  • Carotenoids / chemistry*
  • Carotenoids / isolation & purification
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Pollen / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Trees / chemistry

Substances

  • Carotenoids