Carotenoid Extraction from Plants Using a Novel, Environmentally Friendly Solvent

Authors: Ishida, Betty; Chapman, Mary

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2008
Publication Date: 1/12/2009
Citation: Ishida, B.K., Chapman, M.H. 2009. Carotenoid Extraction from Plants Using a Novel, Environmentally Friendly Solvent. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 57:1051-1059.

Interpretive Summary: Carotenoids are naturally occurring red, orange, and yellow pigments found in vegetables and fruit such as tomatoes, carrots and corn. Few environmentally-friendly solvents are available to extract carotenoids for use in food products and supplements. The most effective, known solvents are products of the petroleum industry and toxic for human consumption. Yet, carotenoid extracts are desirable for use in dietary supplements and as additives to enhance the health benefits of processed foods. We have found that ethyl lactate is an excellent solvent to extract lycopene from tomato, beta-carotene from carrots and lutein from white corn. We found that a greater amount can be extracted if the compounds are protected during the extraction process by added antioxidants such as vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid, which are both beneficial to health. Ethyl lactate extracts carotenoids efficiently and is more advantageous than other solvents used, because it is food-safe, is not flammable, is a by-product of the corn and soybean industries, and degrades into CO2 and water. It is also more effective than ethyl acetate, which is the solvent most commonly used to extract carotenoids for foods and a product of the petroleum industry.

Technical Abstract: Few environmentally-friendly solvents are available to extract carotenoids for use in foods. The most effective, known solvents are products of the petroleum industry and toxic for human consumption. Yet, carotenoid extracts are desirable for use in dietary supplements and as additives to enhance the health benefits of processed foods. We have found that ethyl lactate is an excellent solvent to extract both trans- and cis-lycopene isomers from dried tomato powder, whose extraction efficiency is enhanced by the addition of antioxidants alpha-tocopherol and alpha-lipoic acid, both of whom are known to benefit human health. It is also useful to extract lutein and beta-carotene from dried powders prepared from white corn and carrots. Because of its low flammability and its origin as a by-product of the corn and soybean industries, it is more advantageous than ethyl acetate, which is a petroleum product.