Assessment of lycopene and potassium contents in two tomato varieties and water-melon

Abstract

Lycopene and potassium content were isolated from tomato juice of two varieties, the cylindrical and round shaped species and water-melon. The paste of the separated juice was dehydrated with methanol and the lycopene was extracted from the residue with methanol and carbon tetrachloride. Purification of the products was carried out by recrystalization from benzene to give high purity. The result showed that the water-melon contains an average of 14.05mg/250g of lycopene while the cylindrical and round shaped tomatoes species contain 13.55mg/250g and 13.12mg/250g, respectively. The potassium content for cylindrical and round shaped tomatoes species as well as water-melon are 123mg, 125.5mg and 112.75mg respectively.

Keywords: Tomatoes, water-melon, lycopene, cylindrical, round shapes