Whit only one C-18 column several isomers cannot be resolved. Several of the following papers used two column in series. Best results are obtained on C-30 RP column in respect to C-18. You may take a look at the following papers:

Chauveau-Duriot et al, Simultaneous quantification of carotenoids, retinol, and tocopherols in forages, bovine plasma, and milk: validation of a novel UPLC method.  Anal Bioanal Chem. 2010 May;397(2):777-90. doi: 10.1007/s00216-010-3594-y

Franke et al, Simultaneous analysis of circulating 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D2, retinol, tocopherols, carotenoids, and oxidized and reduced coenzyme Q10 by high performance liquid chromatography with photo diode-array detection using C18 and C30 columns alone or in combination.J Chromatogr A. 2013 Aug 2;1301:1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.05.027.

Gentili et al, Comprehensive profiling of carotenoids and fat-soluble vitamins in milk from different animal species by LC-DAD-MS/MS hyphenation. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Feb 27;61(8):1628-39. doi: 10.1021/jf302811a.

Gentili A, Caretti F., Evaluation of a method based on liquid chromatography-diode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry for a rapid and comprehensive characterization of the fat-soluble vitamin and carotenoid profile of selected plant foods. J Chromatogr A. 2011 Feb 4;1218(5):684-97. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2010.12.001

Gentili et al, Screening of Carotenoids in Tomato Fruits by Using Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array-Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry Detection. J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Aug 26;63(33):7428-39. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02910.

Dear Babita,

It depends on which carotenoids you want to determine (isomers, free or esterified carotenoids...). Usually, C30 columns are a better choice for carotenoid analysis by HPLC. Other option, as stated in the previous answer, is the use of two C18 columns in series. In any case, you can have a look at the following reviews (attached) to get a clearer idea according to your needs.

HI

Yes C18 works fine for analytical purpose. incase of research then try with C30 or chiral column.

for eg, Xanthophylls can be tried with C18. in case  carotene use C30. 

Carotenoids is a general term, so column should be selected based on structural orientation.

refer: USP. JECFA, 

all the best

Hi,

It does depend on which carotenoids you are measuring - beta carotene is the most abundant.  There is an evidence based best practice guideline (we produces in Australia) to help.

Cheers

Ronda

Article Laboratory Medicine Best Practice Guideline: Vitamins A, E a...

IF you're only looking for beta, there is a commercial kit available for a liquid-liquid extraction and subsequent HPLC analysis of the extract. 

Agreed with Alessandro Venditti, It depends on your sample matrix and analysis objectives. it its for qualitative & quantitative analysis of a particular carotenoid then yes but if you would like to do analysis of all relative isomers then either use C30 column or try to resolve ions by MS/MS technique for best qualitative and quantitative results.

Takaichi, S., 2000. Characterization of carotenes in a combination of a C18 HPLC column with isocratic elution and absorption spectra with a photodiode-array detector. Photosynthesis Research, 65(1), pp.93-99.

If is the only column that you have available you may try. Cheers!