Lycopene: Chemistry, biosynthesis, health benefits and nutraceutical applications

Abstract

Lycopene is the natural colored pigment, and is known to impart red color to many fruits and vegetables. In tomatoes, lycopene is found at higher levels, but is also found in guavas, watermelons, papayas, mangoes, etc. Lycopene is the tetraterpene carotenoid compound, which is made up from the eight units of isoprene. These are also present as the active component in photosynthetic organisms and majorly their teleology is to help during important functions like photosynthesis and to provide defense to the host organisms from the overabundant light damage. This chapter discusses the biosynthesis pathway of lycopene, which has been formed from the precursor compound, isopentenyl pyrophosphate through mevalonic acid pathway. Apart from this, the synthesis of lycopene using the biotechnological strategies to increase its production has also been mentioned. Lycopene is considered as an option to lower the risk of several cancers like skin cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer, and it is associated with lowering the risks of the cardiovascular diseases, which have been discussed in detail too. This is considered as a very strong antioxidant; therefore, it protects the cells from the action of reactive oxygen species and prevents the cell damage. Studies show that these compounds are naturally present in trans forms and can change to cis forms on exposure to the abiotic stimuli. Lycopene also exhibits nutraceutical properties. For instance, it has been used as a lycopene-rich ice cream, a functional food that increases its bioavailability in the consumer’s body. Besides many uses of this natural compound, future prospects must include more studies of its molecular mechanisms, finding of new potential therapeutic applications, and searching for the other ways to boost its production to meet increasing demand, hence helping to understand lycopene in an explicit and a better way.