Characterization and stability of pigments extracted from Terminalia catappa leaves

Terminalia catappa is a tree growing in Southeast Mexico; its leaf color ranges from red to yellow and it is a potential source of natural pigments. Petroleum ether:acetone and hexane:acetone were used for pigment extraction. The maximum extraction was 24 mg/100 g of leaves with 70:30 petroleum ether:acetone. Seven pigments were identified in the extracts (violaxanthin, violeoxanthin, lutein epoxide, lutein, two lutein isomers and p-cryptoxanthin). A lower pigment concentration was obtained in saponified than in unsaponified extracts. Antioxidant-free extracts underwent deterioration when stored under light. Conversely, pigments remained stable after 10 days at 40 degreesC, provided they were preserved with 0.1% BHT and stored in the dark.