Supercritical CO2 extraction of lycopene and β-carotene from ripe tomatoes

This work describes the influence of some operative parameters of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction employed for the isolation of lycopene and beta-carotene from the pulp and skins of ripe tomatoes. The extractions were conducted at pressures and temperatures ranging from 2500 to 4000 psi and 40 to 80 degrees C, respectively. The extracted product at 4000 psi and 80 degrees C contained about 65% of lycopene and 35% of beta-carotene. Lycopene and beta-carotene showed a different solubility in the supercritical fluid depending on process parameters. With a proper choice of operative parameters, it has been possible to obtain a product that contained 87% lycopene and 13% beta-carotene. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.