The natural carotenoids are more and more sought after for their coloring and bioactive properties. In this work,
the carotenoid content was evaluated in the hexane extracts of different organs and six (06) carotenoids were characterized
in the extracts of the leaves of Cymbopogon giganteus acclimatized in Burkina Faso. The contents of total carotenoids
were estimated at 13.3 μg, 4.2 μg and 1.5 μg of β-carotene equivalent (EBC) / mg of dry extract, respectively in the
hexanic extracts of leaves, stems and roots of C. giganteus. The major carotenoids that were identified by thin-layer
chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPTLC-MS) for the first time in the extracts of this plant are lutein, 5,6-epoxy-
lutein, violaxanthin, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthine and Phytoène. Moreover, the total antioxidant contents evaluated by
FRAP and DPPH methods vary between 28.6 and 34.1 μg TE/mg extract; 19.4 and 23.6 μg TE/mg extract; and 16.5 and
18.1 μg TE/mg dry extract respectively for leaves, stems and roots. Hexane extracts of the different parts of C. giganteus
may be a potential source of natural antioxidants and carotenoids.

Carotenoids