Supercritical-fluid extraction of lycopene from tomatoes

Abstract: Several process parameters for supercritical CO 2 fluid extraction – such as pressure, temperature, flow rates, co-solvent or modifier concentrations, resident time, moisture content, particle sizes, and particle size distribution – have individual or combined effects on the recovery of lycopene from tomatoes. The solubility and bioactivity of lycopene, and the composition of the extract and extraction yield can be affected. Improved processing conditions and reduced cost are required if the extraction of lycopene from tomato materials using the supercritical CO 2 fluid extraction process is to become more economical at low throughputs.