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Mixture approach for optimizing lycopene extraction from tomato and tomato products
María Jesús Periago1, Francisco Rincón, Maria Dolores Agüera
1Departamento de Tecnología de los Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain. mjperi@um.es
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|September 16, 2004
Summary
Optimizing lycopene extraction from tomatoes requires a specific solvent mixture. Hexane, acetone, and ethanol combined, particularly with synergistic interactions, are essential for maximizing lycopene yield.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, is abundant in tomatoes but its extraction efficiency varies.
- Solvent composition significantly impacts the extraction yield of bioactive compounds like lycopene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal solvent mixture for maximizing lycopene extraction from raw tomato, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of hexane, acetone, and ethanol mixtures on lycopene yield.
Main Methods:
- A mixture process design comparing quadratic and special cubic models was employed.
- Statistical analysis using conventional criteria (p <= 0.15) identified significant effects of solvent components.
- Optimization was achieved by identifying stationary points from the partial special cubic model.
Main Results:
- Hexane was the primary solvent, but synergistic interactions with ethanol (all samples) and acetone (tomato paste) were observed.
- A solvent mixture containing hexane, acetone, and ethanol is crucial for optimizing lycopene extraction.
- The partial special cubic model identified specific concentrations of the three solvents for maximum lycopene recovery.
Conclusions:
- Lycopene extraction efficiency is highly dependent on the solvent mixture composition.
- A ternary solvent system of hexane, acetone, and ethanol, precisely balanced, is necessary for optimal lycopene recovery from various tomato matrices.
- This study provides a data-driven approach to optimize lycopene extraction for food and nutraceutical applications.