Supercritical CO2 Extraction and Microencapsulation of Lycopene-Enriched Oleoresins from Tomato Peels: Evidence on Antiproliferative and Cytocompatibility Activities

Abstract

Tomato peels are used as a valuable material to extract lycopene-rich oleoresins by supercritical CO2 extraction. The extraction involves continuous circling of CO2 to the extractor after removing the solute in the separators, S40 and S45, where the solvent power of the CO2 is reduced by reducing pressure down to 20 MPa in S40 and 5 MPa in S45, respectively, leading to two extracts. Lycopene is found to be the major compound, representing 93% and 76% of the total carotenoids in S40 and S45 extracts, respectively. The two extracts are microencapsulated in whey protein concentrate and acacia gum by complex coacervation and freeze-drying, leading to corresponding P40 and P45 powders, with antioxidant activity of 8.57 ± 0.74 and 9.37 ± 0.48 mMol TEAC/g DW in P40 and P45, respectively. Different structural and morphological patterns are observed, with finer microparticles of 1–2 µm in P45. Both powders show dose and time-dependent antiproliferative activity. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration values are 100 µg/mL for P40 and 750 µg/mL for P45 sample, indicating a higher antiproliferative effect of P40 over P45 in HT-29 cell culture. The powders have an extended range of cytocompatibility, up to 1000 µg/mL, in L929 normal cells, stimulating the cell growth. Lycopene retention is tested, and values of 48% and 29% in P40 and P45 are found after 21 days at 25 °C, with the degradation rate in P45 significantly higher, due to the higher content of the surface lycopene, which favored its degradation.

CO2 supercritical extraction and microencapsulation of oleoresins from rosehip fruits for getting powders with multiple applications

“…Finally, the supernatant obtained after centrifugation at 8000 rpm, 4 °C for 30 min (Hettich Universal 320R, Tuttlingen, Germany) was collected and used for the carotenoids analysis by HPLC. The carotenoids’ separation by HPLC was assessed as Mihalcea et al (2021) described at 450 nm. A C18 column (LiChrosorb PR-18, 125 × 4 mm, 5 μm particle size) was connected to the Agilent 1200 HPLC system equipped with an autosampler, degasser, quaternary pump system, multi-wavelength detector (MWD), and column thermostat (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA).…”

Valorization of Tomato Waste as a Source of Carotenoids

“…For example, Mihalcea et al recently aimed to improve the solubility and bioaccessibility of lycopene, using the encapsulation technique to prepare microcapsules as delivery systems [ 78 ] ( Figure 4 ).…”

“…For example, Mihalcea et al recently aimed to improve the solubility and bioaccessibility of lycopene, using the encapsulation technique to prepare microcapsules as delivery systems [78] (Figure 4). tect carotenoids from chemical and environmental factors prior to industrial applications [74,75].…”

“…For example, Mihalcea et al recently aimed to improve the solubility and bioaccessibility of lycopene, using the encapsulation technique to prepare microcapsules as delivery systems [78] (Figure 4). Microencapsulation is a process that enables the design of a wall that encloses the biologically active compounds and protects them against external factors while offering a controlled release, masking the bitter taste, and preserving fragrance [79].…”

Intensification Technologies to Efficiently Extract Antioxidants from Agro-Food Residues

“…Besides their antioxidant capacity, extracts showed inhibitory activity of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)-related enzymes. Mihalcea et al [6] produced lycopene-rich oleoresins by SC-CO2 extraction from Tomato peels that were formulated in whey protein and acacia gum. This product showed interesting antiproliferative activity in HT-29 cell culture.…”