Carotenoid lycopene

Fertile sources of carotenoids include carrots and leafy green vegetables such as spinach. Tomatoes contain significant amounts of the red carotenoid, lycopene. Although lycopene has no vitamin A activity, it is a particularly efficient antioxidant (see Antioxidants). Oxidation of carotenoids to biologically inactive xanthophyUs represents an important degradation pathway for these compounds (56). 

Plant apocarotenoids have a wide variety of structures and functions. As expected, there is a small gene family of CCDs with different cleavage sites and somewhat promiscuous substrate selection. Some CCDs are stereo-specific, for example, 9-cis epoxycarotenoids are the substrates for NCEDs (9-cis expoxy dioxygenases) that produce the precursor of ABA biosynthesis, xanthoxin. Both linear carotenoids (lycopene) and cyclic carotenoids are substrates for cleavage at various double bonds including the central 15-15 and eccentric 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 9 -10, and 11-12 bonds. Some CCDs cleave both linear and cyclic carotenoids and may cleave the same molecule twice, e.g., both 9-10 and 9 -10 positions. 

Other dietary factors implicated in prostate cancer include retinol, carotenoids, lycopene, and vitamin D consumption.5,6 Retinol, or vitamin A, intake, especially in men older than age 70, is correlated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, whereas intake of its precursor, [3-carotene, has a protective or neutral effect. Lycopene, obtained primarily from tomatoes, decreases the risk of prostate cancer in small cohort studies. The antioxidant vitamin E also may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. Men who developed prostate cancer in one cohort study had lower levels of l,25(OH)2-vitamin D than matched controls, although a prospective study did not support this.2 Clearly, dietary risk factors require further evaluation, but because fat and vitamins are modifiable risk factors, dietary intervention may be promising in prostate cancer prevention. 

Hazai, E, Z Bikadi, F Zsila, and SF. Lockwood. 2006. Molecular modeling of the non-covalent binding of the dietary tomato carotenoids lycopene and lycophill, and selected oxidative metabolites with 5-lipoxygenase. Bio Med Chem 14 6859-6867. 

Kim, L., Rao, A.V., and Rao, L.G. 2003. Lycopene II-effect on osteoblasts The carotenoid lycopene stimulates cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity of SaOS-2 cells. J Med Food 6 79-86. 

Fig. 2 Absorption spectra of some common carotenoids (---) lycopene (—) f-carotene (in petroleum...

FIG. 13 Effect of lycopene on the proliferation of SaOS-2 cells. Compared with respective vehicle control of the same dilution a = p < 0.05, b = p < 0.001, c=p < 0.005 (Kim et al., 2003). (Lycopene II - Effect on osteoblasts The carotenoid lycopene stimulates cell proliferations and alkaline phosphotase activity of SaOS-2 cells. Reprinted from Journal of Medicinal Food. 2003 6, pp. 79-86 by permission of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers.)... 

Among carotenoids, lycopene was analyzed for the risk of cardiovascular disease in women in a nested case-control group deriving from the Women s Health Study, Higher... 

Another carotenoid, lycopene, when applied topically at 0.03% in a gel-emulsion followed by UV irradiation reduced erythematous reactions significantly more than vehicle alone in human volunteers. The topical application of 0.5% vitamin E and 1% vitamin C in the same base also reduced erythematous reactions, but not significantly. None of these topical formulations showed a marked difference for hydration or skin barrier function.108... 

Figure 13.2. Positive ion APCI mass spectrum of the red carotenoid lycopene in a solution of methanol and tert-butyl methyl ether (1 1 v/v). In this analysis, lycopene formed a protonated molecule instead of a molecular ion.

Phytochemical Content high in carotenoids (lycopene, beta-cryptoxan-thin, beta-carotene), polyphenols (tannins, ellagic acid)... 

Miura, Y, Konda, K., Saito, T., Shimada, H., Fraser, P.D., and Misawa, N. 1998. Production of the carotenoids lycopene, (l-carotene, and astaxanthin in the food yeast Candida utilis. Appl Environ Microbiol 64 1226-1229. 

Cohen, L.A., A review of animal model studies of tomato carotenoids, lycopene, and cancer prevention, Exp. Biol. Med., Ill, 864, 2002. 

Kitade, Y., Watanabe, S., Masaki, T., Nishioka, M. et al.. Inhibition of liver fibrosis in LEG rats by a carotenoid, lycopene, or a herbal medicine, Sho-saiko-to, Hepatol. Res., 22,196-205,... 

Other products of potential commercial value for which industrially feasible syntheses have been developed are the symmetrical C4o-carotenoids lycopene (31) [7], zeaxanthin (119) [8] and capsorubin (413) [9]. 

Phytochemistry Tubers contain poisonous saponins, which produce hydrocyanic acid as a result of hydrolysis, alkaloids (possibly volatile cicutine), lipids, pectic substances, fructosans and 28-30 starch. A carotenoid, lycopene, was found in the fruits (Khahnatov 1964 Chernenko et al. 2000). 

---