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Quick Specs
FormTomato Oleoresin
Purity10% (HPLC); >90% synthetic
SourceSolanum lycopersicum (Tomato)
Shelf life18 months (refrigerated)
MOQ1 kg (sample); 5 kg (commercial)
Nutraceuticals

Lycopene

Tomato Oleoresin 5% / 10% / 20% Grades Synthetic >90% Available Singlet O₂ Quencher
The red carotenoid that accumulates in prostate tissue, quenches singlet oxygen 100× more potently than vitamin E, and delivers the strongest nutraceutical evidence base for men's health and skin photoprotection.
Lycopene is a tetraterpene carotenoid (C₄₀H₅₆) responsible for the characteristic red and pink colour of tomatoes, watermelon, guava, and pink grapefruit. Unlike beta-carotene, lycopene is a pure hydrocarbon carotenoid with no provitamin A activity — its health effects come entirely from its antioxidant and non-antioxidant biological actions. CAS 502-65-8. Commercial lycopene is produced either by solvent extraction from tomato oleoresin (yielding a natural-source lycopene in a tomato oil matrix, typically at 5–20% lycopene concentration) or by synthetic production (identical molecule, >90% purity as red crystalline powder). The tomato oleoresin form dominates the supplement market due to its "natural tomato source" label positioning.

Lycopene's primary mechanism is as a singlet oxygen quencher — it is approximately 100× more effective than vitamin E and 2× more effective than beta-carotene at quenching singlet oxygen radicals. This makes it particularly relevant in biological compartments exposed to oxidative stress: the prostate gland (where lycopene accumulates at concentrations far exceeding plasma levels), skin tissue (UV-induced singlet oxygen), and arterial walls. SV Botanica supplies lycopene from tomato oleoresin (5%, 10%, 20% concentrations) and synthetic lycopene powder (>90%). GMP/ISO certified, batch HPLC-tested.
Available specifications
    Quality Assurance

    Tomato Oleoresin Source. HPLC-Confirmed Lycopene Content.

    Every lycopene batch is tested by HPLC for total lycopene content and cis/trans isomer ratio, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbial safety. Cold-chain storage and nitrogen-flushed packaging to prevent oxidative degradation.

    01

    HPLC lycopene quantification with isomer profile

    COA reports total lycopene content plus cis:trans isomer ratio by HPLC; both all-trans and cis-isomers are biologically active but differ in bioavailability.

    02

    Tomato botanical traceability

    Raw tomato oleoresin sourced from GMP-certified processors; botanical identity, pesticide residues (EU MRLs), and heavy metals tested on raw material before concentration.

    03

    Cold-chain storage and nitrogen-flushed packaging

    Lycopene is highly sensitive to heat and oxidation; stored refrigerated, nitrogen-flushed, opaque packaging; temperature-controlled export logistics available.

    04

    Export documentation

    COA, MSDS, Certificate of Origin provided with every shipment; Halal/Kosher certificates on request. Full documentation package available digitally before shipment.

    Formulation Intelligence

    Lycopene Formulator's Guide: Natural vs Synthetic, Isomers & Bioavailability

    Lycopene is one of the few nutraceuticals where processing actually improves bioavailability — cooked tomatoes deliver more bioavailable lycopene than raw tomatoes, because heat disrupts the protein-carotenoid matrix and converts the less-bioavailable all-trans lycopene to the more-bioavailable cis-isomers. This counterintuitive fact shapes how commercial lycopene is specified, extracted, and formulated.

    Standard Grade

    Natural Tomato Oleoresin (10%)

    CAS 502-65-8 (all-trans form)

    Red viscous oleoresin containing 10% lycopene by weight in tomato oil matrix. The preferred form for softgel manufacturers — the oleoresin's lipid base supports bioavailability and natural label claims. Standard 10% grade means each gram of oleoresin delivers 100mg of lycopene.

    Best for: softgel capsules targeting men's health and skin photoprotection.
    High Concentration

    Concentrated Oleoresin (20%)

    20% lycopene in tomato oil matrix

    Red viscous oleoresin with 20% lycopene content — used when minimising fill weight per dose is a priority or when the formulation contains competing lipid-soluble ingredients that limit available softgel volume. Slightly higher cost per kg but lower input weight per mg of lycopene delivered.

    Best for: combination carotenoid softgels with lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin.
    Pure Form

    Synthetic Lycopene Crystalline (>90%)

    Identical molecule; no natural label claim

    Chemically identical to natural lycopene; bright red crystalline powder. No "natural" label claim possible. Used for: fortified foods and beverages (as a natural-identical colourant), research applications, and markets where natural premium positioning is not required. Lower cost per mg of lycopene. Requires lipid-based excipient in formulation for bioavailability.

    Identical biological activity to natural source — supported by EFSA safety opinion.
    Bioavailability Tip

    Cis vs Trans Isomers

    Oleoresin: mixed cis:trans profile

    All-trans lycopene (dominant in raw tomatoes) and cis-lycopene (dominant in processed tomatoes and commercial oleoresin) differ in absorption. Cis-isomers are more bioavailable because their bent molecular shape reduces aggregation in intestinal micelles. Commercial oleoresin from heat-processed tomatoes contains a mixed cis:trans profile more favourable than raw tomato. Always specify lycopene in a lipid matrix (softgel with oil) or with a fat-containing meal — lycopene absorption increases 3–4× with dietary fat.

    Cold-fill softgel process preserves the cis-isomer profile from oleoresin.
    Buyer FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Natural lycopene from tomato oleoresin and synthetic lycopene are chemically identical molecules (same structure, same molecular formula C₄₀H₅₆, CAS 502-65-8). The key differences are: (1) Form — natural lycopene is supplied as an oleoresin (lycopene dispersed in tomato oil matrix, typically 5–20% lycopene content), making it red-viscous and oil-soluble, ideal for softgel formulations; synthetic lycopene is a red crystalline powder with >90% purity. (2) Label claims — natural oleoresin supports "from tomatoes" or "natural lycopene" on product labels; synthetic requires "lycopene" without natural claims. (3) Bioavailability — lycopene from oleoresin may have marginally better bioavailability due to the lipid matrix, though processed tomato products deliver lycopene in a cis-isomer form that is actually better absorbed than the all-trans form in raw tomatoes. (4) Cost — natural oleoresin is generally more expensive per mg of lycopene. Most supplement manufacturers prefer the natural oleoresin for label positioning.
    Lycopene is the most extensively studied dietary carotenoid for prostate health. Epidemiological evidence comes from the Harvard Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (n=48,000), which found men consuming 10 or more servings of tomato products per week had a 35% reduced risk of prostate cancer. Mechanistic studies show lycopene accumulates in prostate tissue at concentrations 2–4× higher than blood plasma, where it quenches reactive oxygen species, inhibits cell proliferation via insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway modulation, and induces gap-junction communication between prostate cells. Intervention studies in men with elevated PSA or early-stage prostate disease generally show lycopene supplementation at 15–30mg/day slows PSA progression and reduces oxidative DNA damage in prostate tissue. While lycopene is not a prostate cancer treatment, the evidence base for its use in men's health maintenance supplements is among the strongest of any nutraceutical.
    UV radiation generates singlet oxygen radicals in skin tissue — highly reactive species that damage lipids, proteins, and DNA in keratinocytes and dermal cells. Lycopene is the most effective dietary quencher of singlet oxygen (approximately 100× more potent than vitamin E), accumulating in skin following oral supplementation and providing sustained photoprotective activity at the cellular level. A landmark study by Stahl et al. (2006) showed that daily consumption of lycopene-containing tomato paste (16mg lycopene/day) for 10 weeks significantly increased the minimum erythemal dose (MED) — the UV exposure threshold required to cause skin reddening — indicating measurable photoprotection. Importantly, this is not sunscreen activity (no SPF effect) but complementary cellular protection that may reduce UV-induced aging and DNA damage. This evidence supports lycopene's inclusion in "sun-protective nutrition" and "beauty from within" supplement formulations.
    No official recommended daily allowance exists for lycopene. Epidemiological studies associate health benefits with intake of 6–15mg/day from dietary sources. Supplement intervention studies have used 10–30mg/day. For prostate health formulations, most clinical studies use 15–30mg/day lycopene. For skin photoprotection, studies show effects at 8–16mg/day. For cardiovascular benefits, 6–15mg/day. Consumer supplement products typically deliver 10–15mg of lycopene per serving. As a fat-soluble carotenoid, lycopene should always be formulated in a lipid matrix (softgels with oil) or taken with meals containing fat for maximum absorption. Lycopene from processed tomatoes (paste, juice, sauce — which contain the more bioavailable cis-isomers) has better absorption than from raw tomatoes.
    Yes — lycopene is frequently combined with other carotenoids and antioxidants in multi-ingredient supplement formulations. Common combinations and rationale: (1) Lycopene + Lutein + Zeaxanthin — for comprehensive macular and eye health protection across different retinal tissue zones; (2) Lycopene + Beta-Carotene + Vitamin E — broad-spectrum antioxidant carotenoid complex for cardiovascular and skin health; (3) Lycopene + Saw Palmetto + Zinc — men's prostate health formulations; (4) Lycopene + Astaxanthin — 'carotenoid skincare' supplements targeting photoprotection and skin elasticity. Important formulation note: carotenoids are all highly lipophilic and should be co-formulated in an oil-based medium (softgels, emulsified powder) rather than standard dry-fill capsules for maximum bioavailability. Avoid high doses of competing carotenoids in the same formulation as they compete for intestinal absorption transporters (SR-B1).
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