The Separation of Lycopene by Column Chromatography

Using a mixture of V(hexane)∶V(acetone)=15∶10 as developing agent,analysis with thinlayer chromatography reveals that there are five major ingredients in oleoresin,and the Rf value of lycopene is 083.The method of column chromatography is adopted for the separation of oleoresin.The immobile phase is silicagel and the mobile phase is the mixture of V(hexane)∶V( acetone)=15∶10.Needlelike crystals can be gained from the concentrated eluting liquid,in which,by measurement of HPLC,the mass percentage of lycopene is 189%.Other ingredients separated from oleoresin are βcarotene,zeaxanthin and lutein.