44C-15 |
Production of lycopene-rich dry concentrate from watermelon |
W. G. MCGLYNN, Food and Ag. Products Center, Oklahoma State University, Food and Ag. Products Center, Room 112, Stillwater, OK 74078 A diet high in carotenoid-rich foods continues to be linked in epidemiological studies with decreased risk of certain forms of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases. Among the compounds identified as responsible, perhaps the most promising is lycopene. Lycopene is present in many fruits, notably tomatoes. Recent studies have shown that some varieties of watermelon are also high in lycopene, approaching the levels seen in some tomato varieties. The goal of this study was to produce and evaluate for lycopene content a dry watermelon concentrate. This concentrate could be used as a feedstock for further purification or directly as a food ingredient or dietary supplement. Ripe watermelons (var. Mickey Lee) were cut from the rind and pulped and the seeds screened and removed using multiple passes through a pulper/finisher with varying screen sizes. The pulp was dewatered using a Westphalia model SA1-02-175 centrifuge. The dewatered pulp was then either freeze-dried or forced-air-dried and powdered. Both the resulting powder and the pureed melon pulp were assayed for lycopene content by measuring absorbance of extracted polar compounds at 503 nm. Results indicated that yield ranged from 1.7g to 3.7g dry concentrate per 100 grams melon pulp depending on centrifuge settings. Lycopene content of the pureed melon ranged from 7308 to 8634 µg/100g (dry weight). Lycopene retention in the dry powder ranged from 33.5% to 47.9% of the lycopene present in the original pulp. These results show that a lycopene-rich dry concentrate can be made from watermelon using a pilot industrial-scale process. These findings open up a potential new source for a high-value nutraceutical ingredient as well as a potential new market for watermelon producers. Avenues for continued research include tests of methods to enhance the stability of and further purify the lycopene in the concentrate.
Session 44C, Fruit & Vegetable Products: Chemistry
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