An Introduction to Lycopene

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Lycopene

The lycopene produced by Green Sky Bio is of high quality, focusing on plant extracts for 21 years

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An Introduction to Lycopene

1. What is Lycopene?

Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid pigment, a natural compound found in many fruits and vegetables, most notably in tomatoes. It is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it helps protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Unlike some other carotenoids (such as beta-carotene), lycopene does not convert to Vitamin A in the human body. Its primary value lies in its potent antioxidant properties.

2. Specifications

Lycopene is commercially available in various forms. Typical specifications for a high-quality lycopene extract are as follows:

3. Applications

Lycopene's vibrant color and health benefits make it valuable across several industries:

• Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements:

• Antioxidant Support: Marketed       for general health, immune support, and combating oxidative stress.

• Prostate & Heart Health: Numerous       studies suggest a link between lycopene intake and a reduced risk of       prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

• Skin Health: Supplements are       used for protection against UV-induced skin damage.

• Food & Beverage (as a Natural Colorant):

• Used to provide a rich red to orange color in products like       fruit juices, sauces, soups, confectionery, dairy products (yogurt, ice       cream), and beverages.

• Designated as a natural color with E-number E160d in       the EU.

• Cosmetics & Personal Care:

• Incorporated into skincare products (creams, serums, lotions)       for its antioxidant properties, which help protect the skin from       environmental stressors and may promote a more youthful appearance.

• Animal Feed:

• Added to feed for poultry (to enhance yolk color) and for fish       like salmon and trout to improve the pink color of their flesh.

4. Manufacturing Process

Lycopene can be obtained through two primary methods:

• A. Extraction from Natural Sources (Tomatoes):

1. Raw Material Preparation: Ripe       tomatoes or tomato pomace (the leftover skin, seeds, and pulp from tomato       processing) are used.

2. Crushing & Conditioning: The       material is crushed and sometimes heated to break down cell walls.

3. Extraction: The crushed       material is treated with a food-grade solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate,       ethanol) to dissolve the lycopene and other lipids. Supercritical CO₂ extraction is a modern,       solvent-free method that is highly efficient but more costly.

4. Separation & Purification: The       solvent is removed through evaporation under vacuum, leaving behind a       crude oleoresin rich in lycopene. This oleoresin can be further purified       and standardized.

5. Formulation: The extract is       often blended with a carrier oil or converted into a water-dispersible       powder using carriers like starch or gum arabic for easier application in       various products.

• B. Fermentation (Synthetic/Biosynthetic):

• This method uses specific strains of fungi (e.g., Blakeslea       trispora) or yeast that are capable of producing lycopene through       fermentation in large bioreactors.

• The lycopene is then extracted from the biomass. This method       is not dependent on seasonal tomato harvests and can produce a very pure       and consistent product, which is often considered natural-identical.

5. Testing & Quality Control Methods

To ensure purity, safety, and potency, lycopene is rigorously tested using established analytical techniques:

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC):

• The Gold Standard Method. HPLC       is used to accurately identify and quantify the lycopene content,       separating it from other carotenoids (like beta-carotene) present in the       extract. This is the primary method for determining purity and potency.       It is often coupled with a UV-Vis or PDA (Photodiode Array) detector.

• Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectrophotometry:

• A quicker, more economical method used for routine quality       checks. It measures the absorbance of a lycopene solution at its       characteristic wavelength (~472 nm). However, it is less specific than       HPLC as it measures total carotenoid content and cannot distinguish       lycopene from other pigments.

• Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC):

• Used as a rapid, qualitative method to check the presence of       lycopene and identify potential impurities.

• Microbiological Testing:

• Standard tests are performed to ensure the product meets       safety specifications for total plate count, yeast, mold, E. coli, and       Salmonella.

• Heavy Metal Analysis:

• Techniques like Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry       (ICP-MS) or Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) are used to detect and       quantify toxic heavy metals.

Packaging & Storage: Lycopene is sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen. It must be packaged in sealed, opaque containers, often under an inert gas like nitrogen, and stored in a cool, dry place to maintain its stability and potency.