Lycopene content and antioxidant capacity of watermelon powder
2014
Gomes, F. S. | Cabral, L. M. C. | Couri, S. | Campos, M. B. D. | Costa, P. A.
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), a tropical fruit with good sensory characteristics as flavor and colour, has been pointed out as an excellent source of lycopene. The aim of this study was to produce watermelon powder with improved lycopene content and antioxidant activity. A pre-concentrated watermelon juice was atomized in a lab spray dryer. The experimental parameters were 180 and 90°C as inlet and outlet temperatures, respectively, atomization pressure of 7 bar; air flow rate of 700 L/h and feed flow rate of 34 ml/min. A mixture of Arabic gum and maltodextrin were used as encapsulating agents. The spray dried watermelon powder was analyzed for lycopene content and antioxidant activity. The results showed an improvement of 216 and 192.5% in the lycopene content and antioxidant activity, respectively in the watermelon powder when compared to the watermelon juice. The stability study of microcapsules showed that the used conditions were not appropriate to keep lycopene content and antioxidant capacity of watermelon powder.
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