Effect of Alkali Saponification, Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Storage Time on the Total Carotenoid Concentration of Costa Rican Crude Palm Oil

Carotenoids from 10 portions of the same sample of crude palm oil were extracted using either enzymatic hydrolysis (Lipase from Candida rugosa) or alkali to determine which method would preserve the greatest level of carotenoids. Also, after each extraction the effect of storage time on carotenoid levels was tested for the extracts obtained right after extraction, at 24 and 48 h after extraction. The carotenoid concentration was estimated using spectrophotometry. Findings showed consistently greater concentrations of carotenoids and a slight decrease over time of 3.5% when enzymatic hydrolysis was performed. This slight decrease is considered to be technically unimportant since these samples exhibited greater concentrations and the change was observed at time 0 but not after 24 and 48 h. Alkali-treated samples stayed stable over time but exhibited lower concentrations of carotenoids. Alkali saponification required a longer time to perform and produced greater losses because of emulsion and soap formation. The difference in concentration by method was not significant as well as the difference in the recovery of an added standard; however, enzymatic hydrolysis is still considered technically and economically advisable as a routine method for the extraction of palm oil carotenoids.