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Lycopene is a red-colored carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables.
Lycopene is powerful antioxidants that efficiently quench singlet oxygen.
Lycopene presumably through this action, carotenoids may protect against cancers, cardiovascular stress, and other diseases.
CAS Number: 502-65-8
Molecular Formula: C40H56
Molecular Weight: 536.87
EINECS Number: 207-949-1
Synonyms:Lycopene, 502-65-8, all-trans-Lycopene, (all-trans)-lycopene, (all-E)-lycopene, Lycopene all-trans-, Lycopene, all-trans-, trans-Lycopene, Psi,psi-carotene, psi, psi-Carotene, psi-psi-carotene, .psi.,.psi.-Carotene, y,y-Carotene, ?,?-carotene, lycored, Redivivo, Mexoryl SAQ, Tomat-O-Red, TOMATO LYCOPENE, Lycopene from blakeslea trispora, Blakeslea trispora, Solanorubin, Ateronon, Aec lycopene, Pro Lycopene, Pro-Lycopene, LYCOMATO, LYC-O-MATO, LYC O MATO, Lycopene 7, Lyco Vit, LYC, Lycopene preparation, Natural Yellow 27, CI 75125, C.I. 75125, E160d, E-160D(III), INS-160D(III), INS No.160D(III), FEMA No. 4110, SB0N2N0WV6, UNII-SB0N2N0WV6, DTXSID2046593, DTXSID70859421, DTXCID0026593, DTXCID60809733, RefChem:5967, CHEBI:15948, CHEMBL501174, NSC-407322, NSC407322, NSC 407322, CCRIS 7925, EINECS 207-949-1, 207-949-1, MFCD00017350, C40H56, NCGC00166291-01, NCGC00166291-02, NCGC00166291-03, NCGC00166291-04, SCHEMBL20158, BSPBio_003389, MSK2456, WLZ4685, GLXC-06674, HY-N0287, EBC-27292, EBC-616775, LMPR01070257, s3943, AKOS015961276, CS-6378, DB11231, FD10111, AC-13571, AC-33932, LS-15428, SY104736, L0257, NS00013534, C05432, M01302, SBI-0654183.0001, Q208130, BRD-K37083340-001-02-3, CAS-502-65-8, 4,4-CAROTENE;LYCOSOURCE;LYCOPENE;JARCOPENE(TM);2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-OCTAMETHYL-DOTRIACONTA-2,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,30-TRIDECAENE;PSI,PSI-CAROTENE;Y,Y-CAROTENE;E 160d
Lycopene is an organic compound classified as a tetraterpene and a carotene.
Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables.
Lycopene is a white to pale-yellow solid; balsam oriental aroma. Lycopene extract from tomato is a dark-red viscous liquid.
Lycopene is freely soluble in ethyl acetate and n-hexane, partially soluble in ethanol and acetone, and insoluble in water.
A solution in n-hexane shows an absorption maximum at approximately 472nm.
Lycopene (from the Greek word lykopersikon, meaning tomato) is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment.
The natural resources are red fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon, and apricots.
After absorbing from the stomach, lycopene is transported in the blood and accumulates in the liver, adrenal glands, and testes.
Lycopene has been used to prevent carcinogenesis, cardiovascular diseases and aging.
Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment, widely known for its role as a strong antioxidant and colorant in foods and health products.
Lycopene s chemical formula is C₄₀H₅₆.
It belongs to the class of carotenoids (specifically acyclic carotenoids).
Lycopene consists of a long conjugated polyene chain with multiple double bonds and no cyclic end groups.
This structure gives it intense red color and high reactivity toward free radicals.
Lycopene is responsible for its antioxidant properties.
Lycopene is naturally found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and other red fruits.
Lycopene is one of the main pigments responsible for the red color of tomatoes.
This highlights its dietary importance.
Physically, lycopene appears as a deep red crystalline powder.
Lycopene is insoluble in water but soluble in fats and organic solvents.
It is sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen.
Lycopene exhibits very strong antioxidant activity, especially in quenching singlet oxygen.
It helps protect cells from oxidative damage.
This supports health benefits.
Lycopene does not have pro-vitamin A activity, unlike some other carotenoids.
Its primary role is antioxidant protection.
This distinguishes it from beta-carotene.
Lycopene is chemically unstable under light, heat, and oxygen exposure, leading to degradation.
It is often stabilized in formulations.
Lycopene is best described as a powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant carotenoid with strong red pigmentation, widely used in nutrition, food coloring, and health-related applications.
Melting point: 172–173°C
Boiling point: 644.94°C (rough estimate)
Density: 0.9380 (estimate)
refractive index: 1.5630 (estimate)
FEMA: 4110 | TOMATO LYCOPENE
storage temp.: -70°C
solubility: Benzene (Slightly), Chloroform (Sparingly), Ethyl Acetate (Very Slightly), Methane
form: powder
color: Red to Very Dark Red
Odor: balsam oriental
Odor Type: balsamic
biological source: tomato
Stability: Heat sensitive - store at -70 °C. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents
Major Application: cleaning products; cosmetics; food and beverages; personal care
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: ANTIOXIDANT; COLORANT
InChIKey: OAIJSZIZWZSQBC-BOJOQWLHSA-N
SMILES: CC(C)=CCCC(C)=CC=CC(C)=CC=CC(C)=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(/C)CCC=C(C)C
LogP: 15.19
Lycopene aside from tomatoes or tomato products like ketchup, it is found in watermelons, grapefruits, red guavas, and baked beans.
Lycopene has no vitamin A activity.
In plants, algae, and other photosynthetic organisms, lycopene is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of many carotenoids, including beta-carotene, which is responsible for yellow, orange, or red pigmentation, photosynthesis, and photoprotection.
Lycopene extract from tomato is produced from a tomato variety with high lycopene content, within the range of 150 to 250 mg/kg.
This particular variety is not generally marketed for direct consumption, but is used primarily in the production of this lycopene extract.
The extract is produced by crushing tomatoes into crude tomato juice that is then separated into serum and pulp.
The tomato pulp is then extracted with ethyl acetate.
Lycopene is obtained after solvent removal by evaporation under vacuum at 40-60°C.
Lycopene may act as an inhibitor of tumor cells.
In one study, lycopene was shown to inhibit PDGF-BB-induced signalling and cell migration in human cultured skin fibroblasts (Wu et al., 2007).
Trapping of PDGF by lycopene compromised melanoma-induced fibroblast migration and attenuated signalling transduction in fibroblasts.
In functional studies, lycopene inhibited melanoma-induced fibroblast migration in a noncontact coculture system and attenuated signalling in fibroblasts simulated by melanoma-derived conditioned medium.
Lycopene is a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment that is responsible for red to pink colors seen in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and other foods 1. Having a chemical formula of C40H56, lycopene is a tetraterpene assembled from eight isoprene units that are solely composed of carbon and hydrogen.
Lycopene may undergo extensive isomerization that allows 1056 theoretical cis-trans configurations; however, the all-trans configuration of lycopene is the most predominant isomer found in foods 1,2 that gives the red hue.
Lycopene is a non-essential human nutrient that is classified as a non-provitamin A carotenoid pigment since it lacks a terminal beta-ionone ring 1 and does not mediate vitamin A activity.
However, lycopene is a potent antioxidant molecule that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet oxygen.
Tomato lycopene extract is used as a color additive in food products.
Lycopene is an acyclic carotenoid, meaning it lacks the ring structures found in compounds like beta-carotene.
This open-chain structure enhances its flexibility.
Lycopene contributes to its strong antioxidant capacity.
The molecule contains 11 conjugated double bonds, which create an extensive electron system.
This allows efficient absorption of visible light.
Lycopene is responsible for its deep red color.
Lycopene exhibits exceptionally high singlet oxygen quenching ability, often higher than many other carotenoids.
It neutralizes reactive oxygen species.
This protects biological systems.
Lycopene exists in different geometric isomers (trans and cis forms).
The trans form is more common in raw foods.
Cis forms are often more bioavailable in the human body.
Lycopene is fat-soluble, and its absorption is enhanced when consumed with dietary fats.
Cooking and processing (e.g., tomato paste) can increase its bioavailability.
This is important in nutrition.
The compound accumulates in human tissues, particularly in the liver, adrenal glands, and prostate.
Lycopene plays a role in cellular protection.
This supports physiological functions.
Lycopene can interact with lipid membranes, helping stabilize them against oxidative stress.
It integrates into lipid bilayers.
This enhances cellular integrity.
Lycopene is often extracted from natural sources such as tomatoes or produced via fermentation and chemical synthesis.
Industrial production focuses on stability and purity.
Lycopene is a highly conjugated, fat-soluble carotenoid with exceptional antioxidant activity and bioavailability, making it essential in nutrition, health, and functional formulations.
Uses:
Lycopene extract from tomato is intended for use as a food colour.
It provides the similar colour shades, ranging from yellow to red, as do the natural and synthetic lycopenes.
Lycopene extract from tomato is also used as a food/dietary supplement in products where the presence of lycopene provides a specific value (e.g., antioxidant or other claimed health benefits).
The product may also be used as an antioxidant in food supplements.
Lycopene extract from tomato is intended for use in the following food categories: baked goods, breakfast cereals, dairy products including frozen dairy desserts, dairy product analogues, spreads, bottled water, carbonated beverages, fruit and vegetable juices, soybean beverages, candy, soups, salad dressings, and other foods and beverages.
Lycopene is widely used in dietary supplements as a potent antioxidant for general health support.
It helps reduce oxidative stress in the body.
This supports overall wellness.
In functional foods and beverages, it is added to enhance nutritional value.
It provides antioxidant benefits.
This supports health-oriented products.
Lycopene is used in tomato-based products (sauces, pastes, juices) to standardize and enhance color.
It maintains a consistent red appearance.
This improves product quality.
In food industry applications, it serves as a natural colorant (E160d).
Lycopene provides red coloration in processed foods.
This enhances visual appeal.
Lycopene is applied in cosmetic and skincare products as an antioxidant ingredient.
It helps protect skin from oxidative damage.
This supports skin health.
Lycopene is used in nutraceutical formulations targeting cardiovascular and prostate health.
Lycopene is associated with protective effects.
This supports targeted health benefits.
In animal feed, especially for poultry and aquaculture, it enhances pigmentation of products.
Lycopene improves color of egg yolks and fish flesh.
This increases market value.
It is applied in anti-aging and wellness products due to its strong antioxidant capacity.
Lycopene helps reduce oxidative damage over time.
This improves product functionality.
Lycopene is also used in research and biomedical studies related to oxidative stress and chronic diseases.
It helps investigate antioxidant mechanisms.
Lycopene is used wherever strong antioxidant activity, red pigmentation, and nutritional enhancement are required across food, supplements, cosmetics, and research applications.
Lycopene is used in eye-health and vision-support formulations, often combined with other carotenoids.
It helps protect retinal cells from oxidative stress.
This supports visual health.
In sports nutrition products, it is included for its antioxidant properties.
It helps reduce oxidative damage from intense physical activity.
This supports recovery and performance.
Lycopene is applied in fortified dairy and cereal products to enhance nutritional value.
It adds antioxidant benefits without affecting taste.
This improves functional food quality.
Lycopene is used in sun-care and after-sun cosmetic products.
It helps protect skin from UV-induced oxidative damage.
This supports skin protection.
In plant-based and alternative food products, it is used to provide natural red coloration.
Lycopene enhances appearance without synthetic dyes.
This aligns with clean-label trends.
Lycopene is applied in medical nutrition and specialized diets, particularly for antioxidant support.
It helps manage oxidative stress-related conditions.
This supports targeted health needs.
Lycopene is used in encapsulated ingredient systems to improve stability and bioavailability.
Encapsulation protects it from degradation.
This enhances effectiveness.
In aquaculture and animal nutrition, it improves pigmentation and product quality.
It enhances visual appeal of fish and poultry products.
This increases commercial value.
Lycopene is also used in quality control and research applications to study carotenoid stability and antioxidant behavior.
It serves as a reference compound.
Lycopene is used wherever powerful antioxidant protection, natural red coloration, and functional health benefits are required across food, supplement, cosmetic, and agricultural applications.
Safety Profile:
Lycopene presents very low hazard potential, as it is a naturally occurring dietary carotenoid commonly consumed in foods such as tomatoes.
It is generally recognized as safe at typical dietary and supplement levels.
However, concentrated forms require standard precautions.
Skin contact is typically low risk, but prolonged exposure to concentrated powder may cause mild irritation or staining (red/orange coloration).
Sensitive individuals may experience slight redness.
Protective gloves are recommended in industrial handling.
Eye contact may cause mild mechanical irritation.
Symptoms can include redness and discomfort.
Eyes should be rinsed with water if exposure occurs.
Inhalation of dust may cause minor respiratory irritation.
Fine particles can irritate the nose and throat.
Adequate ventilation and dust control are recommended.
Ingestion is considered safe at normal dietary levels, but excessive intake may lead to harmless effects such as skin discoloration (lycopenodermia).
It is not associated with significant toxicity.
Medical advice may be sought if large amounts are consumed.
Lycopene is not highly flammable, but as an organic compound it can burn at high temperatures.
Thermal decomposition may produce carbon oxides and irritating fumes.
Lycopene is chemically sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen, which can cause degradation.
