Optimization of Green Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carotenoids and Tocopherol from Tomato Waste Using NADESs

What if the tomato waste from your ketchup could be turned into a goldmine of antioxidants—using nothing but green chemistry and sound waves?

Every year, the food industry discards tons of tomato residue—seeds, skins, and pulp—after processing. But this waste is far from worthless. It's packed with carotenoids and tocopherol, powerful antioxidants that could be harvested for natural products. The challenge? Traditional extraction methods rely on toxic solvents and high energy. Enter NADESs—natural deep eutectic solvents—made from cheap, biodegradable ingredients. When paired with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), they offer a greener, gentler way to unlock these valuable compounds. In this study, researchers compared two NADESs: one hydrophilic, one hydrophobic. The winning formula was a choline chloride:1,3-butanediol (1:5) NADES, with a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:20 (w/v), extracted for just 12 minutes at 65°C, using 70% ultrasound power. The result? A concentrated extract rich in lycopene (215.13 µg/g dry weight), β-carotene (206.95 µg/g), and tocopherol (130.86 µg/g), with an impressive antioxidant capacity of 93.84 mM Trolox equivalent. This eco-friendly approach not only boosts extraction efficiency but also protects sensitive compounds from degradation. By turning waste into a resource, NADESs could revolutionize how industries source natural bioactives—reducing environmental impact while delivering high-quality ingredients.

Key Points

• Green NADES + ultrasound boosts tomato waste extraction.
• Optimal: choline chloride:butanediol, 12 min, 65°C.
• Rich in lycopene, β-carotene, tocopherol; high antioxidant capacity.