CAROTENOIDS ENRICHED FUNCTIONAL FOODS DERIVED FROM AGRI-HORTICULTRAL WASTES

摘要

The present invention relates to carotenoids enriched antioxidant product from agri-waste and a process for saponification and isolation of carotenoids from the pomace of tomato, underutilized parts of cauliflower and cabbage, green pea pod pericarp, aerial parts of carrot, green leafy vegetables and weeds such as Chenopodium and Amaranthus species. This carotenoids enriched product has wide utility as colorants for human food and nutritional supplements as precursor of Vitamin A, visual impairment, for the prevention and treatment of night blindness. They prevent lipid per-oxidation and inhibit the formation and uptake of carcinogens in the body. In addition to antioxidant capability, other biological actions of carotenoids include the ability to enhance immuno-competence to inhibit mutagenesis and cell transformations.