Thin layer chromatography silica gel plates were used to isolate and purify extracted lycopene and β-carotene and compare the samples with standards lycopene. Silica is the most commonly used adsorbent for TLC of carotenoids. The β-carotene dicyclic (upper spot), γ-carotene (monocyclic) the middle spot and lycopene (acyclic) lower spot (Figure 4-5) appeared on the TLC plate. Separated carotenes can easily be distinguished by their characteristic colour. Because of its strong colour, lycopene is easily detected on TLC.
(b)
(a)