The changes of carotenoids in the fruit of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) at five different stages of development were investigated.After extracting carotenoids from the fruit of oil palm,lutein,lycopene,α-carotene and β-carotene were separated and its contents were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).The results showed that contents of α- and β-carotene had a tendency of increasing with fruit ripening.β-Carotene content increased obviously.The content of β-carotene was three to four times more than that of α-carotene in the late developmental stages.On the contrary,the changing trend of the lutein content was gradually decreased.The content of lycopene was almost constant during the development of fruit.It was indicated that the content of total carotenoids in the fruit of oil palm was gradually increased,and was mainly transformed into α- and β-carotene in the process of maturation.