Estimation of mass transfer terms in the lycopene recovery employing Moringa oleifera Lam oil as solvent

The aim of this work was to assess the terms associated with mass transfer in the lycopene recovery from the waste of a tomato canning plant. Moringa oleifera Lam oil was employed as solvent. An ultrasonic extraction was carried out on skin and seeds. The operational variables were temperature (skin: 45, 60, 75, 90 ºC; seed: 45, 60, 75 ºC), matrix/solvent ratio (m/v) (1:20, 1:25, 1:30), particle size (skin: < 1, 1-2, > 3.15 mm; seed: < 1, 1-2, > 2 mm) and extract separation method (filtration and centrifugation). Kinetic constant, lycopene concentration on the solid surface, volumetric coefficient of mass transfer and effective diffusivity were determined. The more the kinetic constant increased, the higher the volumetric coefficient of mass transfer was. Effective diffusivity increased with temperature. Activation energy values suggest a possible deterioration of lycopene at temperatures higher than the optimum. The use of M. oleifera oil as solvent should increase the biological value of the lycopene extracts.