Total Carotenoids can be released from dried, powdered material by heating at 85°C for 5 min in ethanol with BHT (0.1%, w/v) followed by saponification with 400 μL KOH (80% in water). The suspension is mixed for 20 s and placed in a water bath (85°C) for 10 min. The reaction mixture is halted by placing in ice followed by mixing 3 mL deionized water. The mixture is then repeatedly extracted with hexanes to ensure complete extraction of carotenoids. The combined extracts is dried under argon, reconstituted in 1 mL methanol:dichloroethane (50:50) and injected to HPLC system.