Linearity, Reproducibility and Comparison of iCheckTM CAROTENE with Spectrophotometer and HPLC for Evaluation of Total Carotenoids in Cassava Roots

Abstract

Objectives: Breeding cassava roots with enhanced levels of proVitamin A carotenoids (biofortification) is a cost effective approach to overcome vitamin A deficiency, especially for women and children in rural areas who are vulnerable with livelihoods dependent on cassava. Biofortification breeding needs rapid, economical screening tools for beta carotene for 100s to 1000s of genotypes. The screening process needs to be completed in weeks so stem cuttings of selected genotypes can be established in the next breeding stages. This is particularly important as biofortification becomes mainstreamed in many cassava breeding programs in Africa. Here we report a rapid portable screening device developed by BioAnalyt (iCheckTM CAROTENE ) to quantify total carotenoids. This approach can be used at both on-station and off-station field trials often in rural areas without access to laboratories or electricity. Up to 60 samples per day can be completed with a small group of trained technicians. The iCheckTM CAROTENE results obtained were compared with laboratory TCC values using HPLC and spectrophotometer to validate the method. Methods: Twelve cassava genotypes obtained from IITA as fresh storage roots were compared by three different analytical methods: iCheckTM CAROTENE, laboratory photometer and HPLC to assess reproducibility, correlation and linearity, for quantifying beta carotene. Results: Results showed the two photometric methods resulted in nearly identical measurements (r2 = 0.99). The comparison of two different methods (iCheckTM CAROTENE and HPLC showed high correlation of r2 = 0.94. Conclusions: iCheckTM CAROTENE holds promise to facilitate screening of large populations of cassava genotypes at early cassava breeding stages.