Encapsulation of carotenoids from horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) peel isolated by cloud-point and supramolecular solvent-based extraction

In this study, the two green extraction techniques for the extraction of carotenoids were used. The one technique is cloud point extraction (CPE), where extraction is performed using non-ionic surfactants for the formation of micelles entrapping bioactive compounds under a temperature regime. The other technique is supramolecular solvent-based extraction (SUPRAS), where extraction is based on the use of the amphiphile that can form vesicles with bioactive compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified several carotenoids in CPE and SUPRAS extracts, including ?-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and ?-carotene. Evaluation of antioxidant activity of extracts revealed that SUPRAS possess high activity regarding ABTS and reducing power assay, while CPE extract had higher activity against DPPH radicals. Encapsulation of extracts with chickpea seeds proteins resulted in higher encapsulation efficiency for CPE, approximately 90%, while for the SUPRAS were around 86%. This study indicates that both green extraction techniques possess high potential for sustainable extraction and isolation of natural compounds such as carotenoids. Further-more, this research suggests that encapsulation with chickpea seeds proteins have a potential for entrapping the carotenoids and development of carotenoids based active ingredient.