Separation of Lycopene via Liquid–Liquid Extraction: An At-Home Experiment in the Kitchen Laboratory

Herein we describe an accessible and safe at-home experiment to separate lycopene from tomatoes via liquid–liquid extraction. As a qualitative experiment, it is a canonically elementary instance for high school students to digest the conception of miscibility, immiscibility, and density difference of the two solvents. This experiment was performed at a kitchen laboratory, and all the used materials were food-grade and easily available, allowing high school students to physically conduct a foundational lab experiment. Liquid–liquid extraction is an important lab skill, and high school students who perform this at-home lycopene extraction are able to practice experimental skills and probe the underlying theoretical conception, which will aid their future organic chemistry learning in the university.