Bulk tomato Lycopene is a natural pigment that belongs to the group of carotenoids. It has powerful antioxidant properties and plays an important role in the prevention of many chronic diseases, protection of cardiovascular health and many other aspects. Tomatoes are the main dietary source of lycopene. However, the amount of lycopene varies in different parts of the tomato.
What Part Of The Tomato Has The Most Lycopene?
• Peel
The texture of the peel is relatively tough. Its main function is to prevent water loss and resist external mechanical damage. Its cell structure is compact and contains chloroplasts and chromoplasts that can synthesize and store lycopene. These organelles are like small "factories" and "warehouses". Lycopene is produced and stored here. For example, when observing tomato peel cells under a high-resolution microscope, tomato lycopene extract can be seen in the chromoplasts in the form of tiny crystals or oil droplets.
From the perspective of plant physiology, since the peel is directly exposed to sunlight, it is the main place for lycopene to play a photoprotective role as a photosynthetic pigment. Moreover, lycopene in the peel can also absorb harmful light such as ultraviolet rays, reducing the damage of light to plant cells. At the same time, as a signal molecule, it can change its own content when the tomato plant is subjected to environmental stress such as drought and high temperature, helping the plant adapt to harsh environments.
• Pulp
The pulp is the main edible part of the tomato and occupies most of the volume of the tomato. It has a soft texture and is rich in a lot of water and a variety of nutrients. Such as vitamin C, vitamin B group, etc. The lycopene content in the pulp is lower than that in the peel. Usually, there are about 3-15 mg of bulk tomato Lycopene in every 100 g of dry-weight pulp. This is because the pulp is mainly responsible for storing water and nutrients and providing support for seed development. Its cell structure and physiological functions make it less capable of synthesizing and accumulating lycopene.
• Placenta
The placenta is located inside the tomato and is the part that connects the seed and the pulp. It is responsible for the transportation of nutrients. There are about 8-25 mg of lycopene in every 100 g of dry weight of the placenta, which is relatively high.
• Seeds
The seeds are the core part of the tomato for reproduction. The embryo of the plant is contained inside. The lycopene content in the seeds is relatively low among all parts of the tomato. Generally, there are 1-5 mg of lycopene in every 100 g of dry weight of seeds.
Factors Affecting The Lycopene Content
1. Variety differences
Different varieties of tomatoes have significant differences in the distribution and total amount of tomato extract lycopene content in each part. For example, there are some tomato varieties designed specifically for processing. The lycopene content in its fruits is relatively high in both the peel and pulp. This is because these varieties focus on the accumulation of bulk tomato Lycopene during the breeding process. Some ornamental tomato varieties may have lower lycopene content. Because their selection mainly focuses on other traits such as appearance.
From the perspective of the genetic background of the varieties, the genes of different varieties of tomatoes determine the activity and expression levels of enzymes related to lycopene synthesis. Some varieties may have more efficient lycopene synthase genes, allowing them to synthesize and accumulate more lycopene in various parts of the fruit.
2.Growth environment
• Light
Light is an important environmental factor affecting lycopene content. Sufficient light can promote the synthesis of pure lycopene, especially during the development stage of tomato fruit. When tomato plants receive full sunlight, the lycopene content in the skin and pulp of the fruit increases. This is because light can regulate the expression of genes related to lycopene synthesis and activate enzymes involved in lycopene synthesis.
• Temperature
Temperature also affects lycopene content. A suitable temperature range (20 - 25°C) is beneficial to the synthesis of lycopene. Lycopene synthesis may be inhibited when temperatures are too high or too low. For example, under high-temperature conditions, tomato plants may experience physiological stress responses. This results in reduced activity of enzymes involved in lycopene synthesis, thereby reducing lycopene synthesis.
• Soil fertility
Soil fertility also affects lycopene content to a certain extent. Sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients in the soil can provide a material basis for the growth of tomato plants and the synthesis of lycopene. Especially potassium fertilizer, it can promote fruit ripening and the accumulation of lycopene. If the soil is lacking certain key nutrients, lycopene synthesis may be limited. And its distribution in various parts of the fruit may also change.
3. Maturity
As tomatoes ripen, the lycopene content gradually increases. During the green ripening stage of tomatoes, the content of lycopene is relatively low and is mainly concentrated in the peel. At the red ripe stage, the synthesis of lycopene accelerates. Its content in the peel, pulp and placenta is significantly increased. This is because during the ripening process, physiological and biochemical changes inside the tomato fruit promote the synthesis and accumulation of lycopene.
For example, during ripening, the amount of ethylene released in the fruit increases. Ethylene can increase lycopene content. At the same time, as the fruit softens, the cell structure changes, and bulk tomato Lycopene is more easily released from the synthesis site in the cells, making it more evenly distributed in various parts of the fruit.
Extraction and Utilization
Guanjie Biotech is one of the lycopene suppliers, our bulk tomato lycopene is extracted from the skin and pulp of tomatoes. We use organic solvent extraction. Different contents and quality assurance.
Extracting lycopene from various parts of tomatoes
For tomato peel, due to its high lycopene content, organic solvent extraction can be used. For example, organic solvents such as n-hexane and acetone are used to dissolve the lycopene in the peel. The advantage of this method is that the extraction efficiency is high and bulk lycopene powder with higher purity can be obtained. However, the organic solvent extraction method has the problem of organic solvent residue, which requires further purification.
Lycopene extraction from pulp can be combined with physical crushing and chemical extraction methods. When making processed products such as tomato juice, China lycopene powder can be extracted by using some mild organic solvents such as ethanol based on crushing the pulp cells. This method can ensure the extraction of lycopene while retaining other nutrients in the pulp for the production of functional foods.
Wholesale lycopene powder extraction from the placenta can utilize its special structure and chemical properties. Since lycopene in the placenta is closely related to other nutrients, supercritical fluid extraction can be used. Supercritical carbon dioxide is used as an extractant to separate lycopene from the placenta under mild conditions and avoid destroying the biological activity of lycopene.
For the extraction of bulk tomato Lycopene from tomato seeds, due to its low content, it can be extracted jointly during the extraction of seed oil. Lycopene oil in seeds has a certain affinity with oil. In the process of extracting seed oil, some auxiliary extraction methods can be used to increase the extraction rate of lycopene.
The peel and fruit of tomatoes contain the most lycopene. Bulk lycopene powder is widely used in food, health products and cosmetics. Guanjie Biotech is a China lycopene powder factory. We offer 5%,10% lycopene powder, 6%,10% lycopene oil suspension, 5%,10% lycopene microcapsules, and 80%lycopene crystal. As one of the lycopene powder bulk manufacturers. Welcome to enquiry:info@gybiotech.com.
