Abstract:The effect of hot air drying conditions on the retention rate of carotenoids in fresh carrot, yellow pepper, sweet potato and broccoli were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography atmospheric with a C30 column and diode array detection coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry technique. Twelve carotenoids were identified in these materials, particularlyα-carotene and β-carotene and lutein. The environment of carotenoid matrix changed significantly after hot air drying, especially carrot and yellow pepper, but not broccoli. The retention rates of carotenoids in these materials were consistent, and all of them showed a decreasing trend with the increase of hot air temperature. The retention rate of lutein in the dried carrot was higher than that of the other three materials (p<0.05), ranging from 81.52% to 86.21%. The retention rate of β-carotene in broccoli was higher than that in other three materials (p<0.05), ranging from 74.02% to 78.21%.The retention rate of lutein in yellow pepper was in the range of 40%~50%. The retention rate of β-carotene in sweet potato was low, ranging from 27.90% to 35.22%. These results collectively indicate that the matrix environmental change of carotenoid was consistent with its retention rate after hot air drying, when the hot air temperature was 60 ℃, the carotenoids retention rate of broccoli was high.