Extraction of lutein from Marigold flower petals - Experimental kinetics and modelling

Abstract

The extraction kinetics behaviour of lutein from Marigold flower petals and simultaneous alkali hydrolysis has been studied. Extraction was carried out by varying following operating conditions: type of organic solvent, temperature, ratio liquid: material, concentration of alkali solution, and particle size of plant material. Experimental extraction curves were analysed with a mathematical model derived from Fick's second law. The extraction of lutein appeared to be governed by slow and fast diffusion processes. Results showed that the intra-particle diffusion was the rate-governing step of the extraction process, and that the chosen model gives very good approximation of experimental data. © 2007 Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology.