Journal of Current Research in Food Science
2025, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A
Extraction of valuable pigments from vegetable waste pumpkin peel
Author(s): Monalisha Chowdhury and Manisha Maity
Abstract: The peel of some vegetables for instance pumpkin contains considerable pigment such as carotenoids which are bioactive compounds. These compounds are also important for their antioxidant activity and other health-positive aspects, hence the need to extract and improve the carotenoids from such wastes to support sustainable food production and management of wastes. The peels of pumpkin can promote healing and stimulate circulation as they contain vitamin A and carotene. Pumpkin peels are also associated with good eye health, maintaining heart health, reducing the risk of cancer, and boosting the immune system. Isolation of carotenoid from pumpkin peel is normally done by solvent extraction, and the solvents frequently used include ethanol, acetone, or hexane. The process commences with drying the pumpkin peel with a view of minimizing its moisture content and then crushing it to enhance on area. The powdered peel is then subjected to solvent extraction commonly known as extraction process. These include the choice of a proper solvent, the ratio of the solvent to the sample amount, the temperature of extraction normally ranging between 40-60oC, and the extraction time. The optimization of these factors is usually the result of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) or Box-Behnken Design (BBD). Following extraction, spectrophotometry, or High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is utilized to measure the amount of pigment obtained, and the effectiveness of the process. Ethanol is a better solvent than methanol because it produces a higher concentration of carotenoids. Enhancing these factors apart from improving extraction yields also reduces the effects of the procedure on the environment.
DOI: 10.22271/foodsci.2025.v6.i1a.176
Pages: 05-12 | Views: 99 | Downloads: 34
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How to cite this article:
Monalisha Chowdhury, Manisha Maity. Extraction of valuable pigments from vegetable waste pumpkin peel. J Curr Res Food Sci 2025;6(1):05-12. DOI: 10.22271/foodsci.2025.v6.i1a.176
