title: Extraction of beta-carotene from orange peels.
abstract: Extraction of beta-carotene from orange peels and its nutritional evaluation through feeding study were carried out to compare the bioavailability of the extractable beta-carotene with that of synthetic beta-carotene. The highest yield of extractable beta-carotene was recovered using a mixture of acetone and hexane (1:1 v/v) as a solvent in a ratio of 15:1 (solvent/sample) and an extraction time of 15 minutes. Growth of rats fed a diet containing beta-carotene extracted from orange peels was normal and their weight gain during feeding period was real. In addition, bioavailability of the extractable beta-carotene was higher than that of synthetic beta-carotene, as a result of the presence of extra oils in the diet that contained beta-carotene extracted from orange peels. Finally, the economical advantage can be reached by extracting beta-carotene from orange peels. The bioavailability of this extractable beta-carotene was high enough to compete with that of commercial synthetic beta-carotene. So, it can be strongly recommended to produce such product in a large scale.
authors.affiliation: Tanta University, Faculty of Agriculture, Food Science and Technology Department, ET-Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghazi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012997:Solvents; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000032:analysis; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A