Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Peel as a Sustainable Source of Vision-Related Carotenoids Through Green Extraction Optimization

What if the papaya peel you toss away could hold the key to healthier vision? Scientists have discovered that this overlooked waste is packed with eye-friendly carotenoids, ready for sustainable extraction.

Every year, tons of papaya peels end up as industrial waste. But new research reveals these discarded skins are a treasure trove of bioactive compounds—especially carotenoids linked to visual health. By testing different extraction methods, scientists found that even conventional techniques can recover significant amounts of these pigments, with total carotenoid contents reaching up to 7.13 µg β-carotene per 100 g of dry weight. They then fine-tuned the process using response surface methodology to maximize both yield and antioxidant power. The optimized extracts showed impressive antioxidant activity, scavenging free radicals in two different assays (DPPH and ORAC-FL). Chemical analysis identified lutein as the star compound, followed by violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene—while lycopene was absent. This xanthophyll-rich profile, particularly high in lutein, is exciting because these compounds have been associated with protecting vision in previous studies. The findings suggest that papaya peel could become a sustainable source for functional foods and nutraceuticals, turning waste into wellness and supporting a circular economy.

Key Points

• Papaya peel yields up to 7.13 µg β-carotene/100 g DW
• Lutein dominates, with 1414.28 µg/100 g FW
• Extracts show strong antioxidant activity (DPPH, ORAC-FL)