Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6397630 | Food Research International | 2013 | 6 Pages |
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lycopene and beta carotene concentration in aril oil of gac as influenced by extracting solvents and drying methods. The solvent extractions namely chloroform:methanol (2:1Â v/v), petroleum ether and hexane were evaluated for optimal extracting solvent of each carotenoid. Three different drying methods were used including hot-air (HA), low relative humidity air drying (LRH) and far-infrared radiation (FIR). The extracts of different solvents were exhibited to have different levels of lycopene and beta-carotene. Chloroform:methanol (2:1Â v/v) showed higher lycopene and beta-carotene content in aril oil (0.49 and 1.18Â mg/g) than that of fresh aril (0.045 and 0.009Â mg/g). Among the different drying methods, HA was found to provide the highest amount of lycopene (0.82Â mg/g DW) in the aril oil, followed by FIR (0.67Â mg/g DW) and LRH (0.56Â mg/g DW). Interestingly, HA dried aril oil had higher content of lycopene than that of control (fresh). However, processing methods are known to have variable effects on bioactive compounds of plant samples. Effects could vary from little or no change to significant losses, or even enhancement in antioxidant properties.
⺠Chloroform/methanol showed higher extraction of lycopene and beta-carotene in aril oil. ⺠Hot-air was found to provide the highest amount of lycopene in the aril oil. ⺠LRH dried gave the highest beta-carotene content.