Lycopene extract from tomato concentrate and its co-precipitation with PVP using hybrid supercritical processes

In this work, a hybrid supercritical approach was proposed for the production of a dried lycopene extract and its co-precipitation in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) sub-microparticles. In particular, lycopene extract was obtained from a tomato pulp concentrate, using ethyl acetate as the optimal organic solvent. Then, the lycopene extract was dried via supercritical antisolvent extraction, operating at 9.0 MPa and 50 °C. In a single step, a solvent-free powder that preserved up to 80 % of antioxidant activity was obtained. To improve lycopene extract shelf-life, supercritical assisted atomization was performed. The aim was to co-precipitate the active principle with a hydrophilic polymer, like PVP, to protect lycopene from oxidation phenomena. Operating at 8.5 MPa and 80 °C, sub-microparticles of 194 ± 230 nm mean diameter were produced that maintained around 85 % of antioxidant activity at least for 6 months of storage at room temperature.