Co-Enzyme Q10 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Lycopene

Lycopene is a naturally occuring red carotenoid pigment that is responsible in red to pink colors seen in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and other foods [A27242]. Having a chemical formula of C40H56, lycopene is a tetraterpene assembled from eight isoprene units that are solely composed of carbon and hydrogen. Lycophene may undergo extensive isomerization that allows 1056 theoretical cis-trans configurations; however the all-trans configuration of lycopene is the most predominant isomer found in foods [A27242, A27243] that gives the red hue. Lycopene is a non-essential human nutrient that is classified as a non-provitamin A carotenoid pigment since it lacks a terminal beta ionone ring [A27242] and does not mediate vitamin A activity. However lycophene is a potent antioxidant molecule that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet oxygen. Tomato lycopene extract is used as a color additive in food products.

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