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Utilization of internal waste fluffy portion of Cucurbita maxima for extraction of ß-carotene pigment

Anshu Sharma (Amity International Centre for Post Harvest Technology and Cold Chain Management, Amity University, Noida, India)
Anju Kumari Dhiman (Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, India)
Surekha Attri (Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, India)

Pigment & Resin Technology

ISSN: 0369-9420

Article publication date: 27 January 2020

Issue publication date: 27 February 2020

176

Abstract

Purpose

Internal fluffy portion along with fibrous strands of ripe pumpkin is considered as waste in processing industries though it contains sufficient amount of ß-carotene pigment. The purpose of this paper is to use the leftover fluffy portion of ripe pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) after the use of its flesh for the purpose of processing.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were analyzed statistically by following a complete randomized design (CRD). All analysis were performed using the software OPSTAT.

Findings

One hour pre-enzymatic treatment before solvent extraction showed significant improvement in extraction yield in comparison to the isolation of ß-carotene pigment through solvent only. Temperature time combination was optimized as 40°C for 2 h during solvent extraction to obtain maximum yield irrespective of the type of extraction method used.

Practical implications

Extracted carotene pigment can further be used as a natural food colorant in processed food products not only to enhance the color appeal but also it improves the nutritional value of the product as ß-carotene acts as a precursor of vitamin A.

Social implications

Coloring agents of natural origin are becoming famous among society due to their health benefits. Consumers are becoming reluctant to use synthetic colors because of the undesirable allergic reactions caused by them, so carotene bio-pigment produced is a natural coloring compound with wide application in the food sector.

Originality/value

Even though few researchers have worked on the extraction of carotene pigment from pumpkin, but no researcher has reported the use of a waste fluffy portion of C. maxima for extraction of ß-carotene pigment.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP, India.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Citation

Sharma, A., Dhiman, A.K. and Attri, S. (2020), "Utilization of internal waste fluffy portion of Cucurbita maxima for extraction of ß-carotene pigment", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 49 No. 2, pp. 81-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-08-2019-0074

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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