Introduce
Lycopene is a naturally occurring red carotenoid found mainly in tomatoes and some other red fruits and vegetables. It has a wide range of applications in the food sector.
The following are the major applications of lycopene in the food sector:
Food colouring: Lycopene is an intense red pigment that can be used as a natural colouring for food. It is often added to food products such as condiments, beverages, confectionery, pastries and ice cream to increase their colour appeal and marketability.
Antioxidant: Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that can help protect fats and oils in foods from oxidative damage. It extends the shelf life of foods and prevents oxidation of fatty acids and deterioration of food quality. Lycopene is often added to foods such as fats and oils, meat products, pastries and biscuits to improve their antioxidant capacity and stability.
Nutritional supplements: Lycopene is considered beneficial to the human body, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. As a result, it is also used as an ingredient in nutritional supplements and is available as a capsule, tablet or liquid form for supplementation.
Studies have shown that lycopene has a variety of health benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, and enhancing immune system function. As a result, lycopene has applications in health foods and functional foods.
