Analyzing Lycopene Content in Fruits

Lycopene is an antioxidant carotenoid compound occurring in plants. This research determined lycopene content in fresh fruits, including tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), watermelons (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus), jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus), bananas (Musa acuminata), grapes (Vitis vinifera), oranges (Citrus reticulata) and papayas (Carica papaya). Lycopene in fresh fruit samples was extracted using hexane:ethanol:acetone (2:1:1). The results showed that lycopene in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), watermelons (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus), jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus), bananas (Musa acuminata), grapes (Vitis vinifera), oranges (Citrus reticulata) and papayas (Carica papaya) were 104.699±0.000, 144.27 ±0.001, 4.122±0.000, 31.189±0.001, 10.028±0.000, 13.1904±0.000 and 45.342±0.000 mg/kg, respectively. The highest lycopene amount was found in watermelons (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) while the lowest lycopene quantity was observed in jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus).