Economical Production of Lycopene, An Antioxidant, from Tomato Skin (Solanum Lycopersicum), using Pectinase Enzyme.

Abstract

Introduction: Lycopene, a significant nutrient that promotes health, is the main source of the by-product that is recovered from the wastes of the tomato processing industry.  Polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamins are among the bioactive chemicals that possess several physiological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial, vasodilatory, anti-thrombotic, cardio-protective, and antioxidant effects. Because of its distinct acyclic structure, which confers lipophilic properties and makes it soluble in organic solvents, lycopene is an antioxidant carotenoid. But preserving lycopene's stability during extraction presents difficulties, and using traditional techniques also raises environmental issues.

Objectives: In this study, pectinase, an enzyme that was produced from banana peel using Aspergillus niger, was used to extract lycopene from wastes of tomato skin peel.Then purification and characterization of lycopene using thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography was studied and finally the lycopene's antioxidant activity was assessed utilising the DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 assays.

Methods: The tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) were purchased from the local stores, and after peeling, the skin was allowed to dry for a few hours. The banana skin peels were then dried for 24 hours at 45°C before being pulverised with a mortar and pestle. Then, using Aspergillus niger, which was cultured in a lab using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar medium at room temperature, the resulting powdered banana peel was used to produce the pectinase enzyme. And the extraction of lycopene from tomato skin was done using the pectinase enzyme  from banana skin wastes, followed by purification, characterization & finally, measuring the  of  antioxidant activity of the obtained lycopene.

Results: Pectinase from banana peel was found to be 10 mg with the absorbance at 750 nm, when measured spectrophotometrically. TLC is an effective method for identifying and separating substances in a mixture according to how differently they migrate across a thin layer of absorbent material. HPLC analysis showed a clear peak that corresponded to lycopene, with a distinctive absorption maximum at 475 nm.

Conclusions: The antioxidant assay demonstrates  lycopene's remarkable scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 radicals, showcasing its potential therapeutic and industrial applications. These findings underscore the multifaceted role of lycopene as a natural antioxidant with significant health benefits. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the biological and industrial significance of pectinase enzyme and lycopene, paving the way for further research and development in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.