Isothiocyanate-functionalized silica as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for carotenoid isomerization

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Carotenoids offer health benefits but have low bioavailability.
• Z-isomerization is a promising method to enhance carotenoid bioavailability.
• Conventional methods for Z-isomerization are often inefficient or costly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use of isothiocyanate-functionalized silica (Si-NCS) as a heterogeneous catalyst for carotenoid Z-isomerization.
• To assess the efficiency of Si-NCS in promoting the conversion of (all-E)-carotenoids to their Z-isomers.
• To evaluate the potential of Si-NCS for continuous and cost-effective production of carotenoid Z-isomers.

Main Methods:

• Incubation of carotenoid solutions (lycopene, astaxanthin) with Si-NCS catalyst at 50°C.
• Analysis of Z-isomer ratios before and after catalytic treatment.
• Continuous flow isomerization using a column packed with Si-NCS.

Main Results:

• Si-NCS efficiently promoted Z-isomerization of (all-E)-carotenoids.
• Lycopene and astaxanthin Z-isomer ratios increased by approximately 80% and 50%, respectively.
• Continuous Z-isomerization was successfully demonstrated using a packed-bed reactor.

Conclusions:

• Isothiocyanate-functionalized silica (Si-NCS) is a highly effective heterogeneous catalyst for carotenoid Z-isomerization.
• This catalytic approach offers a potential solution to the high production cost and low Z-isomer ratio limitations of current methods.
• Si-NCS has significant potential for practical applications requiring enhanced carotenoid bioavailability.