Study of the Best Temperature and Solvent in Extraction of Carotenoids Based on Lutein from Pumpkin Peel

Carotenoids are a great category of natural pigments that have some features as antioxidant activity, provitamin and healthy properties. In most food wastes in industry, there are several components by antimicrobial, antioxidant and nutritional properties. Pumpkin peel as a waste of the foodstuff contains carotenoids specially Lutein, which has beneficial supplement in human health. The aim of this study was the extraction of carotenoids by ethanol, methanol and ethyl acetate as solvent in 25 and 40 C. For investigation of extracts antioxidant power, the FRAP and DPPH tests were examined. Since the retention time of pure Lutein obtained at 2.243 min in HPLC, carotenoids extract prepared by methanol at 40 °C had the highest Lutein content. The area under the peak of lutein in mentioned extract was approximately 9561. Evolution by UV-VIS method showed methanol extract at 40 °C was the best sample as lutein content, too. According to FRAP and DPPH test, methanol extract had the highest antioxidant power by 1.044 Fe (II)/ lit and 1973 (EC50), respectively.