Isolation of carotenoids, flavonoids and polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum L. and evaluation of antioxidant activity

A preparative column chromatography method was developed to isolate carotenoids, flavonoids and polysaccharides, from Lycium barbarum L., possessing vital biological activity, and their antioxidant activity was evaluated. Carotenoids were isolated by a column containing magnesium oxide and diatomaceous earth (1.5:1, w/w), and β-carotene was eluted with hexane, β-cryptoxanthin and neoxanthin with ethyl acetate and zeaxanthin with ethyl...