This paper presents obtaining and comparative characterization of two carotenoidic extracts: one from marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) flowers and the second, from celandine (Chelidonium majus L. ) flowers. The extracts were obtained from plant material using a solvent mixture of petroleum ether: ethanol 96% (8:2, v:v) and then purified by removing sterols and saponification. Total carotenoids and β-carotene concentrations was determined by RP-HPLC. Noted a very high content of total carotenoids in
marigold flowers (1667.42 μg /g), the amount of β-carotene being of 145.40 μg /g. In celandine flowers found an amount of total carotenoids of 1377.70 μg /g and 369.50 μg /g of β-carotene. It also has been determined the concentration of various minerals (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, Cr, Ni), both in raw materials and in carotenoidic extracts by atomic absorption spectrometry. Potassium and calcium were found in greater quantity in celandine flowers (4420 ppm, 4402 ppm) than in marigold (4025 ppm,
2601.3 ppm),while the mariglods are richer in sodium, magnesium and iron. Macroelements from the carotenoidic extracts were found in much lower concentration than in the raw material, due to their elimination, in large quantities, during the extraction process.