A METHOD FOR THE ISOLATION OF LYCOPENE FROM FRUITS/ VEGETABLES

Abstract

The present invention relates to method for isolating lycopene from fruits and vegetables. This method involves dehydration using methanol, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate under room temperature conditions, preserving lycopene’s bioactive properties while ensuring high purity and yield. The process minimizes degradation by avoiding high temperatures and harmful solvents, achieving a lycopene concentration of approximately 20 mg/kg in the final extract. Qualitative and quantitative analyses, including a sulfuric acid colorimetric test and UV-visible spectrophotometry, confirm lycopene presence and purity. Advantages of this invention include reduced environmental impact, enhanced product safety, and compatibility with standard laboratory and industrial equipment. The resulting lycopene extract is suitable for therapeutic, nutraceutical, and food applications, offering a high-quality, bioavailable product that aligns with sustainable and safe production practices. This method is efficient, scalable, and ideal for commercial use.

Specification

Description:[001] The present invention relates to the field of natural product extraction, specifically to a method for isolating lycopene. More particularly, this invention is concerned with an optimized extraction process that efficiently isolates lycopene in high purity and yield, while preserving its antioxidant properties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The following description provides the information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Lycopene, a potent antioxidant and a red-colored carotenoid, is abundantly found in several fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, carrots, watermelon, papaya, and guava. Known for its therapeutic potential, lycopene has drawn considerable attention for its use in health supplements, food fortification, and pharmaceutical products due to its significant anticancer, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The interest in lycopene has increased as researchers have identified its ability to deactivate reactive oxygen species (ROS), potentially slowing down the oxidative stress responsible for many chronic diseases.
[004] With increasing health awareness, demand for natural lycopene is rising, especially among consumers who prefer naturally derived bioactive compounds over synthetic alternatives. Various methods for extracting lycopene from plant sources are currently in use, but these processes often compromise yield quality, purity, or the functional properties of lycopene. Given lycopene's commercial and health benefits, there is a pressing need for efficient extraction techniques that can yield high-quality lycopene with minimal chemical contamination and degradation of its bioactive properties.
[005] Prior art in lycopene extraction has focused on the use of solvents like hexane, chloroform, and benzene, often requiring prolonged exposure and high temperatures to achieve significant yield. These methods have limitations, as lycopene is highly susceptible to oxidation when exposed to prolonged heat or reactive chemical environments, leading to degradation in quality. Furthermore, the use of toxic solvents such as benzene presents safety hazards and potential environmental concerns, necessitating extra steps to ensure residue removal and compliance with safety standards for end-use applications.
[006] Another common technique in lycopene extraction involves mechanical disruption methods combined with organic solvents to separate lycopene from plant matrices. While somewhat effective, these techniques often require complex multi-step purification processes to achieve the desired lycopene concentration, leading to increased time, cost, and chemical waste. The inefficiencies of these methods also mean that much of the lycopene potential from plant sources remains unutilized, which is suboptimal for both industry efficiency and resource sustainability.
[007] The challenges in current lycopene extraction techniques thus highlight a gap where an efficient, safe, and straightforward method is required to isolate lycopene in high purity and yield while preserving its antioxidant properties. The need for improved methods has grown critical to support the increasing commercial demand and to produce lycopene suitable for high-quality health products without risking toxic chemical residues.
[008] This invention aims to address the shortcomings in existing lycopene extraction processes by providing an improved method that combines solvent extraction with mild processing conditions. By utilizing methanol for dehydration and ethyl acetate for targeted extraction under ambient conditions, this method minimizes lycopene degradation, improves yield, and reduces dependency on high temperatures and harmful solvents. Such mild processing conditions ensure the stability of lycopene's bioactive properties, making it suitable for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
[009] Unlike prior arts, this invention introduces a systematic yet straightforward approach where lycopene is initially dehydrated in methanol to prevent hard lump formation, followed by a brief exposure to ethyl acetate, allowing a higher concentration of pure lycopene to be extracted efficiently. The process is further refined with minimal steps in filtration and solvent evaporation, enabling high recovery rates of lycopene with reduced time and resource inputs.
[010] By addressing the limitations of existing extraction methods, this invention meets the need for a lycopene extraction technique that is both scalable and environmentally friendly. This approach not only achieves a high-quality product with enhanced bioavailability but also aligns with industry standards for safety and efficiency, marking a significant advancement in the field of natural lycopene extraction.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[011] According to an embodiment, the present invention discloses a method for isolating lycopene from lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables. The method includes washing, cutting, and dehydrating the vegetable material using methanol to prevent hard lump formation, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate, filtering, and concentrating the mixture to obtain a thick mass that is allowed to evaporate at room temperature to yield purified lycopene.
[012] In another embodiment, the invention specifies tomatoes as the preferred lycopene-rich vegetable for extraction, utilizing their naturally high lycopene concentration to achieve an efficient yield.
[013] In a further embodiment, the dehydration step is conducted at ambient room temperature to maintain lycopene's antioxidant stability, reducing degradation due to heat exposure.
[014] In one embodiment, the invention includes a qualitative analysis step wherein the extracted lycopene, when treated with sulfuric acid, produces a blue color, indicating the presence of lycopene and confirming the extraction's success.
[015] In another embodiment, the invention details the quantitative analysis of the lycopene yield using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a Methanol (90:10) mobile phase, allowing precise measurement of lycopene concentration in the extracted product.
[016] In a further embodiment, the process includes shaking the dehydrated vegetable material with ethyl acetate for approximately 15 minutes, optimizing the extraction time to enhance lycopene yield without prolonged solvent exposure.
[017] In one embodiment, the filtering and concentration steps are carefully controlled to optimize efficiency, achieving a final lycopene concentration of approximately 20 mg/Kg in the extracted product.
[018] In another embodiment, the invention involves a UV-visible spectrophotometry analysis of the lycopene extract, scanning within the 300-700 nm wavelength range to identify three absorption peaks, confirming lycopene purity.
[019] In one embodiment, the lycopene extract is stored in a temperature-controlled environment to preserve its therapeutic properties, including anticancer, anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.
[020] In a final embodiment, the invention includes a preliminary selection process for lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, carrots, and watermelons, based on their lycopene content, to maximize extraction efficiency and yield.
[021] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[022] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[023] FIG. 1 illustrates UV-Visible Spectrophotometric Scan of Lycopene, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[024] FIG. 2 illustrates a Lycopene Standard Curve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[025] FIG. 3 illustrates Lycopene Extract Curve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[026] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and the word "plurality" means "one or more" unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[027] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting of", "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of, "including", or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[028] According to an embodiment, the present invention discloses a method for isolating lycopene from lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables. The method includes washing, cutting, and dehydrating the vegetable material using methanol to prevent hard lump formation, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate, filtering, and concentrating the mixture to obtain a thick mass that is allowed to evaporate at room temperature to yield purified lycopene.
[029] In another embodiment, the invention specifies tomatoes as the preferred lycopene-rich vegetable for extraction, utilizing their naturally high lycopene concentration to achieve an efficient yield.
[030] In a further embodiment, the dehydration step is conducted at ambient room temperature to maintain lycopene's antioxidant stability, reducing degradation due to heat exposure.
[031] In one embodiment, the invention includes a qualitative analysis step wherein the extracted lycopene, when treated with sulfuric acid, produces a blue color, indicating the presence of lycopene and confirming the extraction's success.
[032] In another embodiment, the invention details the quantitative analysis of the lycopene yield using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a Methanol (90:10) mobile phase, allowing precise measurement of lycopene concentration in the extracted product.
[033] In a further embodiment, the process includes shaking the dehydrated vegetable material with ethyl acetate for approximately 15 minutes, optimizing the extraction time to enhance lycopene yield without prolonged solvent exposure.
[034] In one embodiment, the filtering and concentration steps are carefully controlled to optimize efficiency, achieving a final lycopene concentration of approximately 20 mg/Kg in the extracted product.
[035] In another embodiment, the invention involves a UV-visible spectrophotometry analysis of the lycopene extract, scanning within the 300-700 nm wavelength range to identify three absorption peaks, confirming lycopene purity.
[036] In one embodiment, the lycopene extract is stored in a temperature-controlled environment to preserve its therapeutic properties, including anticancer, anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.
[037] In a final embodiment, the invention includes a preliminary selection process for lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, carrots, and watermelons, based on their lycopene content, to maximize extraction efficiency and yield.
[038] The invention primarily involves the following steps:
[039] Selection and Preparation: The method begins with selecting lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to tomatoes, carrots, and watermelons. These fruits and vegetables are then washed thoroughly and cut into small pieces, enhancing surface area for efficient extraction.
[040] Dehydration: The cut vegetable material is dehydrated using methanol, a mild solvent that helps in preserving the bioactivity of lycopene. The mixture is shaken vigorously during this step to prevent the formation of hard lumps that could impede extraction efficiency. This step is performed at ambient room temperature, reducing the risk of lycopene degradation that may occur with heat exposure.
[041] Extraction with Ethyl Acetate: After dehydration, the material is mixed with ethyl acetate, a relatively safe and non-toxic solvent that efficiently extracts lycopene. The mixture is shaken for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the lycopene to dissolve effectively without prolonged solvent exposure that could lead to oxidation.
[042] Filtration and Concentration: Following extraction, the mixture is filtered to separate the solid residues, leaving a solution enriched with lycopene. This solution is then concentrated to obtain a thick mass, which is subsequently left to evaporate at room temperature, enabling complete solvent removal and yielding purified lycopene.
[043] Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis: The isolated lycopene undergoes qualitative analysis, wherein it produces a characteristic blue color when treated with sulfuric acid, confirming the presence of lycopene. For quantitative analysis, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is performed using a Methanol (90:10) mobile phase, verifying the lycopene content and ensuring consistency in extraction yield.
[044] The method's dehydration step is critical for removing moisture that may interfere with lycopene extraction. Using methanol as the dehydrating agent prevents the formation of unwanted byproducts, allowing for a smooth extraction process. The vigorous shaking during dehydration minimizes the risk of hard lump formation, which can reduce the extraction efficiency. Following dehydration, the mixture is introduced to ethyl acetate, where a brief 15-minute shaking period is applied. This time-controlled solvent interaction optimizes lycopene solubility without subjecting the compound to prolonged chemical exposure.
[045] The extraction process includes a mild filtration and concentration step, allowing for rapid and efficient separation of lycopene from unwanted residues. By concentrating the solution at room temperature, this method avoids high-temperature processes that could lead to lycopene degradation, preserving the compound's bioactive integrity. The final purified mass is analyzed to ensure quality, with lycopene yielding approximately 20 mg/Kg in the extracted product, as measured against the standard curve.
[046] The qualitative analysis with sulfuric acid provides a straightforward, visual confirmation of lycopene's presence by producing a distinct blue color, indicating that the extraction process has successfully isolated lycopene. The quantitative HPLC analysis further verifies lycopene concentration and purity, using a Methanol (90:10) mobile phase at a controlled temperature and wavelength, ensuring a high level of precision in yield determination.
[047] Referring now to FIG. 1 illustrates UV-Visible Spectrophotometric Scan of Lycopene, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This figure illustrates a two-step analytical approach to confirm the presence and purity of lycopene in the extract using colorimetric testing with sulfuric acid and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The lycopene extract undergoes a colorimetric test by adding sulfuric acid. The extracted lycopene produces a distinct blue color when treated with sulfuric acid, a visual indication that lycopene is present in the sample. This reaction serves as a straightforward and effective qualitative test, confirming the successful extraction of lycopene without requiring complex equipment. The color change to blue is due to the unique interaction of lycopene's conjugated double bonds with sulfuric acid, which shifts the absorption and creates a visible color change. The figure shows the UV-visible spectrophotometric scan of a lycopene solution at a concentration of 10 µg/mL in hexane, covering a wavelength range of 300 to 700 nm. The spectrum reveals three distinct absorption peaks, characteristic of lycopene's molecular structure and confirming its presence and purity. Lycopene has a unique absorbance pattern due to its conjugated double bonds, which absorb strongly in the visible region, often around wavelengths like 472 nm. The presence of these three peaks verifies that the extracted lycopene retains its structure and purity, indicating the efficiency of the extraction method.
[048] FIG. 2 illustrates a Lycopene Standard Curve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, a solution of lycopene in hexane was scanned across a wavelength range of 300-700 nm. This analysis revealed three characteristic absorption peaks that correspond to the lycopene compound, enabling accurate identification and quantification during subsequent extraction trials. The standard curve also provides a reliable reference for measuring lycopene concentration by comparing extracted samples against known concentrations, ensuring accurate results in both laboratory and industrial applications.
[049] FIG. 3 illustrates Lycopene Extract Curve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The curve demonstrates the presence of the three characteristic absorption peaks, as observed in the standard lycopene solution, confirming the successful extraction and purity of the lycopene isolated using this method. The similarity in spectral peaks between the standard curve and the extract curve validates the efficiency of the extraction process, as well as the stability of lycopene throughout the method. This consistent spectral profile ensures that the final lycopene product retains its functional bioactivity, essential for therapeutic and nutritional applications.
[050] The present invention offers an innovative approach to isolating lycopene from fruits and vegetables with improved purity and bioactivity. One of the primary advantages is that the method preserves lycopene's antioxidant properties by using mild extraction conditions. By operating at room temperature and avoiding prolonged heat exposure, the process minimizes lycopene degradation, ensuring a high-quality product suitable for health-related applications. This aspect is essential, as lycopene's therapeutic benefits, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties, depend on its bioactive integrity.
[051] Additionally, the method employs methanol and ethyl acetate, safer alternatives to toxic solvents typically used in extraction processes, such as benzene or chloroform. This approach enhances the safety of the extraction process for both producers and consumers, reducing the risk of residual toxic solvents in the final product. The use of non-toxic solvents also aligns with environmental and regulatory standards, making the process more suitable for large-scale, commercial applications in food and pharmaceutical industries where product safety is paramount.
[052] Another significant advantage of this invention is its improved yield efficiency. By combining dehydration with methanol and targeted extraction with ethyl acetate, the method achieves a higher concentration of lycopene in the final extract compared to traditional methods. The invention's streamlined process, including rapid dehydration and solvent interaction, reduces material waste, cuts down processing time, and minimizes resource consumption, making it a more sustainable solution for lycopene extraction. High recovery rates make it ideal for commercial settings where maximizing yield is crucial.
[053] The method's simplicity also stands out as a key benefit, with fewer processing steps and reduced complexity compared to multi-step mechanical or chemical extraction techniques. Traditional methods often require extensive post-processing steps to achieve the desired purity level, adding to production time and cost. In contrast, this invention achieves high purity with minimal filtration and solvent evaporation, enabling a faster, more cost-effective extraction process that can be easily scaled up for industrial use.
[054] Furthermore, this invention offers a safer, environmentally friendly extraction method that aligns well with sustainable manufacturing practices. By reducing dependency on toxic solvents and harsh conditions, this method lowers the environmental impact of lycopene extraction. This eco-friendly approach is increasingly important to industries and consumers prioritizing sustainable products and practices, enhancing the market appeal of lycopene-based products derived from this process.
[055] The ability to maintain high lycopene stability and bioavailability in the extract offers another competitive edge for applications in health supplements and functional foods. Because the process maintains the molecular integrity of lycopene, the final product has increased bioavailability, which is essential for delivering therapeutic benefits effectively. This makes the lycopene produced by this invention a valuable ingredient for high-quality nutraceutical and pharmaceutical formulations.
[056] Finally, this invention's compatibility with standard laboratory and industrial equipment makes it practical and versatile. Unlike some extraction techniques that require specialized, high-cost equipment, this method can be implemented in a wide range of production settings without significant modifications, making it accessible to both small-scale manufacturers and large industrial operations.
[057] In summary, the present invention combines efficiency, safety, sustainability, and quality, making it a significant advancement over existing lycopene extraction methods. These advantages provide an ideal solution to meet the growing demand for natural, high-purity lycopene in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.
[058] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.
, Claims:1. A method for isolating lycopene from lycopene-containing fruits or vegetables, comprising the steps of:
washing and cutting the selected lycopene-rich vegetable,
dehydrating the cut material using methanol while vigorously shaking to prevent hard lump formation,
mixing the dehydrated material with ethyl acetate to further extract lycopene content,
filtering and concentrating the resultant mixture to obtain a thick mass,
allowing the mass to evaporate completely at room temperature to yield purified lycopene,
wherein the lycopene isolated possesses antioxidant properties, as indicated by the formation of a specific UV-Visible absorption spectrum at 472 nm, and wherein the method enhances lycopene purity and yield.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lycopene content is extracted specifically from tomatoes.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dehydration step is carried out at ambient room temperature to preserve lycopene stability.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a qualitative analysis step involving treatment with sulfuric acid to produce a characteristic blue color as confirmation of lycopene presence.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quantitative analysis of lycopene in the final product is performed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a Methanol (90:10) mobile phase.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lycopene extraction process includes shaking the dehydrated material with ethyl acetate for a period of approximately 15 minutes.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtering and concentrating steps are conducted to optimize yield efficiency, producing a concentration of approximately 20 mg/Kg lycopene in the final extracted mass.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein lycopene concentration is verified by UV-visible spectrophotometry within a wavelength range of 300-700 nm to identify three distinct absorption peaks.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lycopene extract is stored at a temperature-controlled environment to maintain its therapeutic properties, including anticancer, anti-diabetic, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory, and neuro-protective effects.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a preliminary step of selecting lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to tomatoes, carrots, and watermelons, based on lycopene concentration to enhance extraction efficiency.

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