Lycopene
Lycopene is a red, acyclic carotenoid that gives tomatoes their color. It is produced three ways: extracted from tomato pulp with a solvent such as ethyl acetate to an oleoresin, made by fermentation of the fungus Blakeslea trispora, or made by chemical synthesis. Natural tomato oleoresin carries other tomato carotenoids and lipids. Brands buy lycopene as oleoresin or oil suspensions for softgels, or as beadlets and dispersible powders for tablets, drinks and food coloring.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Viscous tomato extract with a declared lycopene percentage plus other tomato carotenoids, used in softgels.
Concentrated lycopene crystals from tomato, fermentation or synthesis, the starting point for diluted forms.
Lycopene crystals suspended in vegetable oil at a stated percentage.
Lycopene encapsulated in a matrix for tablets, drinks and food coloring, at a lower lycopene percentage.
Lycopene from Blakeslea trispora or chemical synthesis, offered as an alternative to tomato-derived material.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Lycopene oxidizes and isomerizes with oxygen, light and heat, so keep it in sealed, nitrogen-flushed, opaque containers and follow the supplier's temperature instructions. Oleoresin is viscous and may need gentle warming before use. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification and confirmed by assay retest.
Record the lycopene assay and method for each lot, and for color uses check shade against a retained standard. Content falls over shelf life, so plan overage from the supplier's stability data and rotate stock first-expired, first-out.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 73.585 lists tomato lycopene extract and tomato lycopene concentrate as color additives exempt from certification that may be used for coloring foods generally, except in standardized foods unless their standards allow added color.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's List of Permitted Colouring Agents includes lycopene extract from tomato as a food colour in specified foods.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)GRN 119, for synthetic lycopene from BASF Corporation, closed in May 2003 with FDA having no questions, noting that some uses may require a color additive listing.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 173, for lycopene from Blakeslea trispora from Vitatene S.A., closed in December 2005 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer
Carotenoid producer that grows its own tomato varieties for lycopene and also supplies lutein from marigold, astaxanthin from algae and beta-carotene from fungal fermentation, as nutrients and food colors.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include tomato oleoresin, crystalline lycopene, oil suspension, beadlets and dispersible powders and fermentation or synthetic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect lycopene assay, other carotenoids, residual solvents, heavy metals, microbiology and peroxide value, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Lycopene oxidizes and isomerizes with oxygen, light and heat, so keep it in sealed, nitrogen-flushed, opaque containers and follow the supplier's temperature instructions. Oleoresin is viscous and may need gentle warming before use. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification and confirmed by assay retest.
21 CFR 73.585 lists tomato lycopene extract and tomato lycopene concentrate as color additives exempt from certification that may be used for coloring foods generally, except in standardized foods unless their standards allow added color. Health Canada's List of Permitted Colouring Agents includes lycopene extract from tomato as a food colour in specified foods. GRN 119, for synthetic lycopene from BASF Corporation, closed in May 2003 with FDA having no questions, noting that some uses may require a color additive listing. GRN 173, for lycopene from Blakeslea trispora from Vitatene S.A., closed in December 2005 with FDA having no questions.
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