Lycopene, named after its successful isolation from a large number of tomatoes, is a member of the carotenoid family and the primary pigment in ripe tomatoes, known for its strong coloring ability. Its molecular structure contains 11 conjugated double bonds, which endow it with exceptional antioxidant properties and the ability to effectively scavenge free radicals. Research indicates that lycopene has the highest singlet oxygen quenching activity among all carotenoids, being twice as effective as β-carotene and ten times more effective than Vitamin E.
[1] Zheng Xiaoqing, Luo Rouxuan. Research Progress on the Extraction and Functional Activity of Lycopene [R]. 2023, 66-71, Health Food R&D and Industrial Technology Innovation Summit Forum and 2022 Guangdong Food Society Annual Meeting
[2] Di Mascio P, Kaiser S, Sies H. Lycopene as the most efficient biological carotenoid singlet oxygen quencher [J]. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1989, 274(2): 532-538.
Due to its unique antioxidant properties, lycopene offers numerous health benefits:
Strong Coloring Ability: Lycopene imparts a vivid red hue to foods, making them more appealing and appetizing. It is widely used in the food and beverage industry, such as in sauces, juices, candies, and pastries. Natural lycopene is non-toxic and aligns with consumers’ preferences for green and healthy diets.
Heart Protector: Studies have shown that lycopene can inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, helping to maintain cardiovascular health.
[3] Zheng Xiaoqing, Luo Rouxuan. Research Progress on the Extraction and Functional Activity of Lycopene [R]. 2023, 66-71, Health Food R&D and Industrial Technology Innovation Summit Forum and 2022 Guangdong Food Society Annual Meeting
Anti-Cancer Potential: Multiple studies suggest that lycopene may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as prostate and breast cancer.
Eye Protection: As a potent antioxidant, lycopene helps combat blue light damage to the eyes and protects the retina from oxidative stress.
Liver Protection: Lycopene accumulates significantly in the liver and can effectively mitigate alcohol-induced liver damage.
Anti-Aging Companion: Lycopene can reduce signs of skin aging, prevent UVA-induced upregulation, and inhibit the production of malondialdehyde, helping to maintain youthful skin vitality.
[4] Gong Jie, Ma Liangjuan. Research Progress on Skin Photoaging and Antioxidants [J]. 2019, 35(11): 692-695, Chinese Journal of Leprosy and Dermatology
Men's Health Guardian: In men, lycopene is primarily distributed in the testes, prostate, adrenal glands, and liver, helping to prevent and improve conditions such as prostate hyperplasia and prostatitis, and improving sperm quality to reduce infertility risk.
Skin Allergy Improvement: Lycopene can alleviate skin allergies, soothing dryness and itching caused by allergic reactions.
As a result, lycopene finds extensive applications in food, health supplements, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The market demand for lycopene has significantly increased in recent years.
Lycopene can be produced through natural extraction, chemical synthesis, and biosynthesis. Natural extraction is inefficient, costly, and limited by the quality and stable supply of tomato raw materials. Chemical synthesis, while controllable, may leave chemical residues and produce non-natural lycopene configurations, posing potential health risks.
HeshengTech employs biosynthesis using Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the chassis cell to produce lycopene. This method has successfully overcome the technical bottlenecks of lycopene synthesis in yeast, achieving high yields and leading international levels in fermentation output. This significantly improves efficiency and reduces production costs. HeshengTech’s biosynthesized natural lycopene boasts a purity of up to 96%.
Additionally, we have designed various formulations, including oil suspensions, water-soluble powders, and fat-soluble powders, to meet different product needs, greatly expanding the application scenarios of lycopene. With diverse specifications, natural structural characteristics, and competitive pricing, we offer customers a new range of choices.
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