The Studies On The Extraction Technology And Stability Of Natural Lycopene

The Studies on the Extraction Technology and Stability of Natural Lycopene ABSTRACT Orthogonal experiments have been done to establish the optimum technology and technical parameters for extracting lycopene from tomato. The physical and chemical properties of lycopene and its stability in different conditions have also been studied. The results are as follows: 1. Trichloromethane is better than peteroleum benzine, acetic acid + ethanol, acetic ether, acetone + ether etc. As an organic solvent for extracting lycopene from tomato. The optimum temperature for extracting lycopene is 400C. The optimum p1-I value is 5. The optimum ratio of tomato paste to solvent is 1:1. 2. The maximum absorption wave length of lycopene is 462nm. The lycopene is stable when it is in acid medium and the environmental temperature is not higher than 500C. 3-. The Stability of lycopene is reduced when Fe3~ or Cu2~ is added to its medium whereas other metal ions have no such effect on its stability. 4. Natural lycopene is not stable when alkali is added to its medium. 5. Oxidant (H202) and reducing agent (Na2SO3) have no effect on the stability of lycopene. 6. Lycopene is very sensitive to sunlight. Almost all lycopene is destroyed when it is directly exposed to sunlight for a whole day. Lycopene is also sensitive to UV and lamp light. 7. Antioxidants (VC, BHT, TBHQ) can protect lycopene form the destruction of sunlight by some extent. 8. Preservatives (sodium benzoate, sorbic acid) have little effect on the stability of lycopene. 9. Radiation of less than 6.0 kGy has little effect on the stability of lycopene. Wang Xuewu (Food science) Directed by Professor Xia Yanbin S...