The purpose of this research is to determine which factors affect degradation of lycopene and at what rate. Lycopene is important as an antioxidant and can prevent certain types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. Previous literature has demonstrated that extraction of lycopene is possible via solid-liquid extraction. Furthermore, the extracted product can be successfully characterized via UV-vis. A lab based off the extraction and characterization of lycopene was the original goal, however, characterization has thus far proved problematic, despite known literature spectra (UV-vis, NMR). Degradation of lycopene samples is suspected, thus a method to analyze the degradation of lycopene has been developed. This work will report the first phase of this study analyzing the effect of light on the molecule. This will be measured by comparing the concentrations of lycopene extract in the presence and absence of light over a given time period. Characterization and quantification will be completed using UV-vis spectroscopy.

Determining the degradation of an antioxidant, lycopene.

249th National Meeting (2015)

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