High intensity pulsed electric fields assisted extraction of lycopene from tomato residual

The high intensity pulsed electric fields (HIPEF) method was assisted in extracting lycopene from tomato residual. The optimal processing conditions were acquired by the single-factor experiment and the orthogonal experiment, and then comparative extraction tests were performed among the HIPEF-assisted extraction method, the organic solvents extraction method, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction method, and the microwave-assisted extraction method. The results show that with the shortest time (16 μs), the highest extraction rate 96.7% by lycopene was achieved under the following conditions: extraction solvent being ethyl acetate, electric field intensity 30 kV/cm, electric pulse number 8, liquid-stuff ratio 9 mL/g, temperature 30℃ and single-stage extraction. Extraction rate of HIPEF-assisted extraction method is 2.4 times as much as that of the organic solvents extraction method, 1.04 times of the ultrasonic-assisted extraction method, and 1.23 times of the microwave-assisted extraction method. HIPEF-assisted extraction method is proved to be a new and fast way to extract lycopene from the tomato residual.