Extraction of orange peel carotenoids with water

In this study, it was aimed to extract orange peel carotenoids with a water based system. With this aim, surfactant assisted microemulsion extraction technique was applied. In the presence of food grade surfactants having different HLB (Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) values, carotenoids encapsulated in the micelles that dispersable in water. In this way, carotenoid extraction from orange pulp was managed. Total extractable carotenoid content and extraction efficiency were determined by successive extractions with water based system. The effect of liquefaction enzyme amount, surfactant type and ratio, pH, salt concentration and the intensity of preheating on carotenoid recovery were investigated. Different dispersion methods (high-speed crushing, high-pressure homogenization and sonication) were comperatively investigated for the carotenoid recovery. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of extracts obtained by different rates of different surfactants were also determined. According to the results, it was determined that optimum enzyme concentration was 0.01%, surfactant ratio was 0.4%, incubation temperature and time were 10 min at 50 °C. Among the surfactants used, the maximum and minimum recoveries were obtained by Tween-40 and Tween-20, respectively. High-pressure homogenization provided the highest carotenoid recovery compared to the other dispersion methods. The highest carotenoid extraction values obtained at pH 8.2 and 5% salt concentration. It was elucidated that surfactant type and ratio had no effect on total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of orange peel extracts.