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Coupling membrane processes to obtain a lycopene‐rich extract
Author(s) -
Souza André Luis Rodrigues,
Gomes Flavia dos Santos,
To Renata Valeriano,
Silva Luiz Fernando Menezes,
Cabral Lourdes Maria Corrêa
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of food processing and preservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.511
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1745-4549
pISSN - 0145-8892
DOI - 10.1111/jfpp.14164
Subject(s) - lycopene , diafiltration , chemistry , pulp (tooth) , food science , microfiltration , antioxidant , carotenoid , membrane , raw material , biochemistry , organic chemistry , medicine , pathology
Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. It is known for its antioxidant properties, which is associated with the prevention of cancer. Raw tomatoes and tomato‐based products are important sources of dietary lycopene. This study aimed to evaluate the integration of diafiltration and reverse osmosis processes to concentrate tomato pulp and to obtain a lycopene‐rich extract with a high antioxidant capacity and a low molecular weight. Diafiltration was efficient in desalting the tomato pulp, maintaining the lycopene concentration of the tomato at the same level as the whole tomato pulp. The permeate flux of the diafiltrated tomato pulp was 29.5 L·h −1 ·m −2 and the concentration factor of lycopene was 2.4. Additionally, it was found that the antioxidant capacity increased at the same rate than the lycopene content. Practical applications Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes with higher antioxidant capacity. The membrane separation processes are considered as an alternative to the thermal processes, providing the concentration of these bioactive compounds present in the tomato using soft process temperatures, besides preserving the sensory and aroma characteristics. The integration of the processes with microfiltration and diafiltration membranes allows the production of a final product from the tomato with high concentration of lycopene, promoting the assistance in the prevention of various diseases related to human health, and a reduced soluble solids content of reduced molecular weight.