Carotenes Content in Carrot Roots (Daucus carota L.) as affected by Cultivation and Storage

The influence of area, variety, year and storage on β-carotene content and dry matter content of selected carrot varieties were tested. Carrot roots of four varieties were examined during two years period (2002-2003), cultivated under different climatic and soil conditions in three areas of Slovakia - Nitra, Komárno and Prusy. Carrot varieties (Nevis F₁, Idaho F₁, Florida F₁, Kathmandu F₁) showed the greatest mean content of β-carotene (23.25 mg·100 g^-1) in Nitra area, year 2003. Irrigation showed negative influence on β-carotene content. The highest content of β-carotene showed variety Florida F₁ (26.3 mg·100 g^-1). Mean higher contents of dry matter were determined in the year 2003 compared to the year 2002.

Loss of β-carotene during carrot storage was observed higher in the cellar than in the cold storage. Mean loss of β-carotene in dry matter for cold storage was 13.57-14.28%, compared to cellar 20-27.3%.