Vegetable oils as green solvents for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber) byproducts: Optimization of extraction parameters

Abstract

Pumpkin pulp is the main waste generated by pumpkin seed growers. This agro‐industrial waste is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially carotenoids (β‐carotene, α‐carotene, and lutein), which exhibit a broad spectrum of health‐promoting effects. In this study, vegetable oils (canola, corn, and soybean oil) were used as green solvent alternatives to conventional organic solvents for carotenoid extraction from dried pumpkin pulp (DPP) waste. The highest carotenoid extraction yield (CEY) was obtained with canola oil, at a 1:10 DPP/oil ratio. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction process parameters (temperature, time, and stirring rate) through a Box‐Behnken design (BBD) maximizing CEY in canola oil. The extraction temperature and stirring rate were found to have a significant linear and quadratic effect, respectively, on CEY. Optimum conditions were achieved at 21.8 min, 250 rpm, and 60°C. Under these optimized conditions, the estimated value for CEY was 378.1 µg β‐carotene equivalents/g of DPP, corresponding to 61.6% of the total carotenoid content present in the DPP. In contrast, the observed experimental value was 373.2 µg β‐carotene equivalents/g of DPP (61.2%). The experimental value was very close to the estimated value, which verifies the model's adequacy and fit. This study shows an alternative method to extract carotenoids from DPP with canola oil, obtaining an oil naturally enriched with carotenoids that could be used as a potential functional ingredient in the development of food, cosmetics, and medicinal products. Practical Application Pumpkin by‐products are a potential carotenoid source. Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative solvent for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin residues to obtain an enriched carotenoid oil that can be used to formulate food products.

Carotenoid Content and Profiles of Pumpkin Products and By-Products

“…It was also found that the yield of carotenoids was increased when the ratio of solid to solvent was increased up to 1:150. In another study, Portillo-Lopez et al [ 36 ] used canola, corn and soybean oils at different solid-to-solvent ratios (1:10, 2:10 and 3:10) as alternative green solvents for the extraction of carotenoids from pumpkin pulp ( C. argyrosperma ). Before extraction, the pumpkin pulp slices were dried at 60 °C, ground and sieved (0.425 mm) to obtain a fine powder.…”

Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Rheological Properties of Canola Oil Extract of Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg from Călimani Mountains, Romania

“…Yara-Varón et al (2017) reported that various edible oils, such as soybean, olive, sunflower, corn, grapeseed, and canola oils, could extract carotenoids and antioxidants (astaxanthin), aromatic, and phenolic compounds [ 43 ]. From these common edible oils, one valuable vegetable oil containing various bioactive compounds is canola oil, the second most abundantly produced edible oil in the world, after soybean oil [ 44 ].…”

Pumpkin Peel Valorization Using Green Extraction Technology to Obtain β-Carotene Fortified Mayonnaise

“…Petrochemical-based solvents are currently carefully regulated by European Directives and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). As a result, new greener and more sustainable extraction strategies have become a top priority for academia and industry [21][22][23][24][25].…”

“…The discovery and design of the green extraction technology, according to [26], is centered on reducing energy usage, using ecologically friendly solvents, and generating a non-denatured extract free of pollutants. Vegetable oils are a promising alternative to standard solvents since they have a great potential for carotenoid extraction due to their oil solubility, do not emit volatile chemical compounds, are biodegradable, and can be employed directly in the formulation of food and cosmetic products [27][28][29]25]. Furthermore, vegetable oils are thought to be an excellent barrier against oxygen and reducing oxidation processes.…”

“…mango pulp [38], tomato [39], dry tomato waste [40] shrimp waste [41,42,27], pomegranate [31], carrot juice processing waste [43], citrus fruits waste [22], passion fruit peel [23], peach palm fruit [44] and bee pollen [45] by using various vegetable oils (sun ower, peanut, gingelly, mustard, sesame, palm, soybean, coconut, axseed, corn, canola, olive and rice bran oil). However, there are very few reports [25,46,47] on the potential of vegetable oil to extract carotenoid from pumpkin or pumpkin wastes.…”