The aim of the research was to evaluate how the quality of carrots is affected by organic and conventional production systems. The experiment was carried out at the Estonian Crop Research Institute in 2009. Conventional treatment received the following amount of nutrients via mineral fertilizers: N 115, P 40 and K 152 kg haE-1. For plant protection, the following pesticides were used: Fenix, Fastac 50, Agil and Signum. In organic cultivation system compost and humic acid solution Humistar were used for fertilization and polypropylene non-woven fabric Agryl P-17 for plant protection. Marketable yield of organic carrots was 8% lower compared to the conventional carrots. Conventional carrots contained pesticide residues and had significantly higher nitrate concentration than organic carrots. The contents of total sugars, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium did not differ significantly between carrots from different cultivation systems. At harvest, dry matter (DM) content of organically grown carrots was significantly higher, whereas vitamin C and ß-carotene content was significantly lower in organically grown carrots. However, after 5-months of storage, the organic carrots had significantly higher total soluble solids (TSS) and β-carotene content compared to the conventional ones indicating that organically grown carrots were less susceptible to storage conditions.

Nowadays, different sun protective creams are available in the market, but most of them contain harmful synthetic chemicals and minerals which can induce skin allergies and premature ageing. Usage of sunscreens and photoprotectors of natural origin and natural antioxidants can reduce skin damage caused by excessive sun exposure. The effectiveness of the use of β-carotene — vitamin’s A precursor against excessive irradiation caused by oxidative stress cell damages has been proven of its very good antioxidative properties and leading to sooner regeneration of the skin after several environmental damages. Carotenoids and high value oil can be extracted from pumpkin (Cucurbitta spp.) by-products — peel and seeds with SC CO2. The objective of this study was to incorporate pumpkin seed oil (PSO) and carotenoid extract (CE) from pumpkin by-products in to facial creams for UV protection. Two types of creams with PSO and CE were prepared emulsion o/w and w/o. A cream without extracts and natural ingredients was used as control sample. The sun protection factor values in vitro (SPF = 0.92 to 1.18), total content of carotenoids (TCC = 1.08–17.95 µg mLE−1), β-carotene content (0.64–0.72 µg mLE−1), total phenolic content (TPC = 62.64–95.82 mg GAE gE−1), antiradical scavenging activity (11.26–43.66 %) and rheological behaviour of facial creams were determined. Although creams with CE and PSO show comparatively low SPF values, ß-carotene and phenolic compounds found in samples demonstrated very high antioxidant abilities valuable for skin protection.