Lycopene, a carotenoid found in plant foods, is also a red pigment. Deep red needle-like crystal, soluble in chloroform, benzene and oils but insoluble in water. Unstable to light and oxygen, turns brown when exposed to iron. Molecular formula C40H56, relative molecular weight 536.85. There are 11 conjugated double bonds and 2 non-conjugated double bonds in the molecular structure, forming a straight chain hydrocarbon. Does not have the physiological activity of vitamin A, but has strong antioxidant function. The fruits of ripe red plants are more abundant, especially in tomato, carrot, watermelon, papaya and guava. It can be used as pigment in food processing and also as raw material of antioxidant health food.

Lycopene is widely found in tomatoes, tomato products, watermelon, grapefruit and other fruits. It is the main pigment in mature tomatoes and one of the common carotenoids. In 1989, MASCIO found that lycopene had the highest quenching activity against singlet oxygen of all carotenoids. Subsequently, studies on the function of lycopene have become a hot topic, including the absorption and metabolism of lycopene, the reduction of the risk of prostate cancer and other tumors and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the extraction and determination methods of lycopene. At present, lycopene is not only widely used as natural pigment, but also more and more used in functional food, medicine and cosmetics.

According to Minte's Global New Product Database (GNPD), 418 new products containing lycopene were launched worldwide between 2003 and 2010. These products cover the food, Supplement and cosmetic sectors, with lycopene supplements being the most popular.

Health care products and sports supplements

According to GNPD, there are 177 new supplement products worldwide that contain lycopene. According to the State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), there are 31 kinds of lycopene health care products, among which 2 are imported health care products and the rest are domestic health care products. The 31 health care products are mainly used to fight oxidation, delay aging, enhance immunity, regulate blood lipids, etc. Among them, two are tablets, one is oil, and the rest are capsules.