Homogenization and Microwave Irradiation Enhancements of Betacyanin Extraction from Pitahaya Peel and Its Stability

Abstract

The aims of this research are to enhance extraction of betacyanin from pitahaya (dragon fruit -Hylocereus undatus) peel by using homogenization and microwave techniques and assessed pigment stability under the different pH and heat treatments. We assessed enhanced extraction with homogenization in distilled water at 2500 rpm at times of up to 20 minutes and 100W microwave power with times up to 30 seconds. After extraction, the stability test under the different pH of 3-7 and heat treatment levels (without heat treatment, pasteurization and sterilization) was also investigated. The homogenized extract after 20 minutes and microwave powered extract for 30 seconds led to the highest red color (measured by a* value) and betacyanin content when compared with each other processing time. The extracted pigment without heat treatment had higher stability than pasteurized and sterilized extract in the pH 4-6 range. 