Lycopene is a carotenoid found in plant foods and a red pigment. Dark red needle-like crystal, soluble in chloroform, benzene and oil, but insoluble in water. It is unstable to light and oxygen and turns brown when exposed to iron. Molecular formula C40H56, relative molecular mass 536.85. There are 11 conjugated double bonds and 2 non-conjugated double bonds in the molecular structure, forming a linear hydrocarbon. It has no physiological activity of vitamin A, but has strong antioxidant function. The content is higher in mature red plant fruits, especially tomatoes, carrots, watermelons, papayas and guavas. It can be used as a pigment in food processing and is also commonly used as a raw material for antioxidant health foods.
Function:
The long-chain polyunsaturated olefin molecular structure of lycopene gives it strong free radical elimination and antioxidant capabilities. Current research on its biological effects mainly focuses on antioxidants, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing genetic damage and inhibiting the development of tumors.
1. Enhance the body's oxidative stress capacity and anti-inflammatory effect
Oxidative damage is considered to be one of the main causes of increased incidence of cancer and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of lycopene has been confirmed by many experiments. The ability of lycopene to quench singlet oxygen is more than twice that of the currently commonly used antioxidant β-carotene and 100 times that of vitamin E.
2. Protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
Lycopene can deeply remove vascular waste, regulate plasma cholesterol concentration, protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidation, repair and improve oxidized cells, promote the formation of intercellular glial cells, and enhance blood vessel flexibility. A survey study showed that serum lycopene concentration was negatively correlated with the incidence of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. Research on lycopene's anti-atherosclerosis in rabbits shows that lycopene can effectively reduce serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in rabbits. The effect is equivalent to that of fluvastatin sodium. Other studies have shown that lycopene has a protective effect on local cerebral ischemia. It mainly inhibits glial cell activity and reduces the area of cerebral perfusion injury through antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects.
3. Protect skin
Lycopene also has the function of reducing skin damage from radiation or ultraviolet (UV). When UV irradiates the skin, the lycopene in the skin combines with the free radicals generated by the UV to protect the skin tissue from damage. Compared with the skin without UV irradiation, the lycopene is reduced by 31% to 46%, and the content of other ingredients is almost the same. constant. Studies have shown that daily intake of lycopene-rich foods can combat UV and prevent erythema caused by UV exposure. Lycopene can also quench free radicals in epidermal cells and has a significant effect on fading age spots.
4. Enhance immunity
Lycopene can activate immune cells, protect phagocytes from their own oxidative damage, promote the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, stimulate the function of effector T cells, promote the production of certain interleukins and inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators. Studies have found that taking lycopene capsules in moderate doses can improve the body's immunity and reduce the damage to the body's immunity caused by acute exercise.
Application:
1. Health products and sports supplements
2. Cosmetics
3. Food and beverages
4. Application in meat products:
Lycopene is the main component of the red pigment in tomatoes and other fruits. It has strong antioxidant capacity and good physiological functions. It can be used as a preservative and colorant for meat products. In addition, the acidity of tomato products rich in lycopene will reduce the pH value of meat and inhibit the growth of spoilage microorganisms to a certain extent. Therefore, it can be used as a preservative for meat products, partially replacing nitrite. effect.
5. Application in edible oil:
Lycopene has excellent physiological functions and strong antioxidant properties. It can efficiently quench singlet oxygen and scavenge free radicals, and inhibit lipid peroxidation. Therefore, adding it to cooking oil can alleviate oil deterioration.
6. Lycopene can be used as a nutritional supplement to maintain human health.
7. Due to the special functions of lycopene, it is also a functional factor in the development of modern functional foods, such as antioxidant health capsules, or medicated canned foods after being combined with other medicinal plants.
| Items |
Specifications |
Results |
| Appearance |
Red Powder |
Complies |
| Identification |
Positive |
Complies |
| Assay |
98 |
98.5% |
| Ash |
≤5.0% |
2.55% |
| Loss on drying |
≤5.0% |
1.20% |
| Ignition residue |
≤2.0% |
0.25% |
| Heavy metals |
≤10ppm |
Complies |
| Pb |
≤2.0ppm |
Complies |
| As |
≤2.0ppm |
Complies |
| Odor |
Characteristic |
Complies |
| Particle size |
100%through 80 mesh |
Complies |
| Microbioiogical: |
| Total of bacteria |
≤1000cfu/g |
100cfu/g |
| Fungi |
≤100cfu/g |
Complies |
| Salmgosella |
Negative |
Complies |
| Coli |
Negative |
Complies |
Conclusion
|
Conform with USP/FCC/E302 specification
|
| Storage condition |
Store in cool & dry place, Do not freeze. Keep away from strong light and heat. |
| Shelf life |
2 years when properly stored |
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