Lycopene and beta carotene concentration in aril oil of gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) as influenced by aril-drying process and solvents extraction

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 (2:1v/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 (2:1v/v) showed higher lycopene and beta-carotene content in aril oil (0.49 and 1.18mg/g) than that of fresh aril (0.045 and 0.009mg/g). Among the different drying methods, HA was found to provide the highest amount of lycopene (0.82mg/g DW) in the aril oil, followed by FIR (0.67mg/g DW) and LRH (0.56mg/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.