Physicochemical Properties and Functionality of ‘Fuping-Jianshi’ Persimmon Peel Pigment

In order to explore the functionality and application characteristics of ‘Fuping-Jianshi’ persimmon peel pigment, the persimmon peel pigment was extracted and purified by solvent extraction and purification technology. The composition, physicochemical properties, free radical scavenging capacity, antibacterial properties, inhibitory effect on HepG2 and MNK-45 cell proliferation in vitro of the pigment were investigated by spectral analysis, antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer cell proliferation experiments in vitro. The results showed that the extraction rate of the persimmon peel pigment was as high as 2.18%, and there were at least 10 kinds of components in the pigment, in which β-carotene accounted for 52.31%, lutein 8.73% and zeaxanthin 4.02%. Light, high temperature, oxidant and Cu²⁺ could cause fading of the pigment, acid, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Al³⁺ could make the pigment precipitate, reducing agent and preservative had protective effect on the pigment. The pigment could scavenge DPPH·,·OH, ABTS⁺·, and chelate Fe²⁺. Compared with V_C, β-carotene and lutein, the order of antioxidant activity was V_C>β-carotene>the pigment>lutein, the anti-lipid peroxidation ability of the pigment increased with the increasing of the pigment concentration. The pigment could inhibit the growth of Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and had no inhibitory effect on Listeria and Lactobacillus sakazakii. The pigment could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 and MNK-45 cancer cells in vitro. As a conclusion: ‘Fuping-Jianshi’ persimmon peel pigment had good antioxidative, antibacterial and anticancer activities in vitro, and can be used as natural functional pigment.