FRACTIONATED EXTRACTION OF NATURAL SOURCE CAROTENOIDS WITH A HIGH LYCOPENE CONTENT, USING SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS

摘要

The invention relates to a method of obtaining all-trans lycopene crystals smaller than 10 µm and with a purity greater than 85 %. The inventive method can be used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as well as in the production of nutraceuticals and functional foods. Said environmentally-friendly method involves the use of supercritical fluids for the extraction and fractionation of tomato carotenoids.