Lycopene is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of all dicyclic carotenoids, including β–carotene.
It is estimated that more than 80% of lycopene consumed in the United States is derived from tomato-base products, although apricot, guava, watermelon, papaya and pink grapefruit also provided a dietary source.
Lycopene appears to be relatively stable during cooking and food processing.
Lycopene is responsible for the characteristics red color of tomatoes and tomato-based foods. In the reddest strains of tomatoes, lycopene concentration is close to 50 mg/kg, compared with only 5 mg/kg in the yellow strains.
Lycopene may play an important protective role against coronary heart disease. In one study, 19 young men followed a diet based on tomato products and experience a significant increase in blood lycopene level together with a reduction in circulating level of LDL-cholesterol.
Lycopene is a more potent scavenger of oxygen radicals than other major dietary carotenes, and it exerts additional anticancer effects. In one –six-year study men who ate two or more servings of tomato products a week reduced their risk of prostate cancer by up to 50 percent.
Lycopene in food and its health benefits
The primary goal of food is to promote our health and general well-being. Food science entails comprehending the characteristics, composition, and behaviors of food constituents in different situations, such as storage, handling, and consumption.
January 14, 2018
The Most Popular Posts
-
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol found in a range of plants, particularly in the skin of red grapes, blueberries, raspberries...
-
Crude fat is the term used to refer to the crude mixture of fat-soluble material present in a sample. Crude fat also known as the ether ext...
-
Gelatinization occurs when starch granules are heated in a liquid. It is responsible for the thickening of food systems. The process is an i...
-
Crude fiber is a measure of the quantity of indigestible cellulose, pentosans, lignin, and other components of this type in present foods. ...
-
Theophylline in Natural Sources: Stimulant and Health Benefits in Cocoa, Tea, Guarana, and Kola NutsTheophylline is naturally present in cocoa beans, with Criollo cocoa beans containing up to 3.7 mg/g, making them a significant source of th...