(Isolation of Lutein from Kenikir Flowers (Tagetes erecta L.) and Identification by Fourier Transformed Infra Red and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry)

Abstrak

Luteins belong to xantofil group of carotenoid whivh is used as natural dyes and antioxidants that can prevent people from having diseases including cancer. This compound is found in large quantities in marigold flower (Tagetes erecta L.). This study was aimed to isolate and identify the lutein contained in the local marigold species. Dry powder of marigold flowers was macerated with n-hexane, then the maserat was digested with isopropanol, saponified using NaOH 50% to form a semisolid, then diluted with water to form a smooth deposition and centrifuged. The residue resulted was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography with a mobile phase of n-hexane-chloroform- acetone (6:2:2) in isocratic to yield fractions 3 and 4 with Rf values on TLC plate was similar to the lutein reference standard (0.39-0,40). Identification with visible light spectrophotometry showed a wavelength of maximum absorption at 447 nm; with FT- IR spectrophotometry showed the absorption of C-H bend, C-H stretch, C=C and –OH. HPLC analysis with a C18 stationary phase and methanol-dichloromethan-acetonitrile (67,5 : 22,5 : 10 v/v) as mobile phase showed retention time similar with the lutein reference standard (3.48-3.53 minutes) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed a molecular weight of 568 and fragmentation similar with the lutein reference standard. The study concludes that lutein can be isolated from marigold flowers with 5.26% yield and 32,23% of crude lutein.