Lycopene

Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants, and is found in fruits and vegetables. High-intake of lycopene has decreased the risks of natural toxins, including mycotoxins and bacterial toxins, and chemical toxins, including heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides.

Lycopene is a natural carotenoid found predominantly in tomatoes and tomato-based products. The safety of synthetic lycopene as beadlet formulations includes acute and subchronic safety studies, reproductive studies, genotoxicity studies, metabolic studies, and exploratory studies on the hepatic uptake of lycopene. It has a low order of acute toxicity and no significant toxicity has been observed in rats treated with lycopene in the diet at doses of up to 500 mg/kg bw/day for 14 weeks, or 1000 mg/kg bw/day for 4 weeks. No teratogenic effects were noted in a rat two-generation study (1000 ppm in the diet) or in a teratology study in rats with 1000 mg/kg bw/day lycopene as beadlet formulations. Unformulated pure crystalline lycopene and lycopene as a 10% beadlet formulation were not genotoxic in a comprehensive battery of tests; ,however, improperly stored, unformulated crystalline lycopene can degrade to mutagenic products if exposed to light and air. There is a large margin of safety based on the repeated dose safety and reproductive/teratology studies in rodents. In humans, there is a very long history of dietary exposures, and there is no indication of any significant adverse effects even in for very high exposures from dietary sources.

Lycopene (LYC) has multiple biological activities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, and has been shown to have hepatoprotective properties against various liver diseases, e.g., alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, hepatocellular carcinoma, fulminant hepatic failure, and radiation-induced liver damage. LYC also protects against drug-induced liver injury caused by tramadol, cisplatin, methotrexate, oestrogen, sulfamethoxazole, and others. It has shown promising hepatoprotective effects for environmental toxins such as Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, atrazine, aflatoxins, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, bisphenol A, dichlorvos, and heavy metals. This review discusses LYC's hepatoprotective properties, explores the mechanisms behind this effect, and highlights research directions to further investigate the potential benefits of LYC consumption to treat human liver diseases.

While dietary lycopene during pregnancy and lactation is generally safe, supplemented lycopenes taken during pregnancy are probably not safe. There is not enough information about lycopene supplementation during breastfeeding, and it is recommended to avoid supplementing lycopene during pregnancy and lactation.

Carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin) and carrot flavor are transmitted into breastmilk… A study of 39 mothers of preterm infants (24 to 34 weeks gestation) provided 184 milk and 21 plasma samples weekly up to 6 weeks postpartum. Mean lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and lycopene concentration decreased as lactation progressed, with the highest concentrations in colostrum. Lycopene (41%) and beta-carotene (36%) were the predominant carotenoids in colostrum and for up to 2 weeks postpartum. The proportion of lutein and zeaxanthin increased with lactation duration to account for 45% of the carotenoids in mature milk. Infant Levels. In a study of 39 mothers and their preterm infants (24 to 34 weeks gestation).. 21 blod samples were obtained from infants at 6 weeks of age. The carotenoid concentrations averaged as follows: lutein 76.2 mcg/l, beta-carotene 24.5 mcg/L, zeaxanthin 13.6 mcg/L and lycopene 11 mcg/L. No correlation was observed in carotenoid content between maternal milk and infant plasma at 6 weeks postpartum.

Food Additives -> COLOUR -> JECFA Functional Classes

Food Additives -> COLOUR -> JECFA Functional Classes

Food Additives -> COLOUR -> JECFA Functional Classes

Cosmetics -> Cosmetic colorant