Lycopene from tomato biomass: Extraction and stabilization

Lycopene and other carotenoids have a significant added value in the food and cosmetic industries due to their nutraceutical properties and antioxidant activity. The extraction and stabilization of these compounds remain challenging due to their sensitivity to light, temperature fluctuations, and oxidation. This article introduces a sustainable method of extracting lycopene from tomato waste (Solanum lycopersicum L.) using layered double hydroxide nanoparticles to stabilize lycopene. We used tomato juice and lycopene as a positive control, while ZnAl was a negative control. The experimental samples included 75 and 100 mg of zinc salt per 1 mL of tomato juice, which were labeled as ZnAl75J and ZnAl100J. Zinc and aluminum salts developed insoluble hydroxides, which precipitated lycopene from tomato juice, thus forming composites. The composites proved to be efficient means of encapsulating lycopene as they recovered 97% lycopene present in tomato juice. The physicochemical properties of the organic material enhanced resistance to thermal degradation and acted as an extended-release antioxidant. ZnAl100J, which contained a lot of lycopene, inhibited 89% of DPPH• in 24 h and showed a value higher than IC50 for ABTS•+, which was 0.02 μg/mL of TEAC ABTS•+. ZnAl75J composites showed a higher protection against oxidation and a higher sun protection factor value (3.08) at 15% concentration. The composites could be used as an active ingredient in a wide range of formulations that require antioxidant and photosensitizing properties, or simply as encapsulators and carriers of lycopene.