Lycopene is the main carotenoid pre

Lycopene is the main carotenoid present in tomato and its derivatives. It can also be obtained from the fungus Blakeslea trispora and its use as novel food ingredient was recently approved.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the absorption of lycopene, in humans, after the intake of a single dose providing 15 mg of lycopene from tomato extract (oleoresin 6%) or B. trispora (oil suspension 6%).

Twelve female subjects were enrolled and divided into two groups: group 1 was assigned to the sequence tomato lycopene/wash-out/B. trispora lycopene, whereas group 2 followed the sequence B. trispora lycopene/wash-out/tomato lycopene. The formulations were consumed early in the morning with 5 mL of sunflower oil, 100 g of bread and 150 mL of water. Blood was collected before consumption and after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h. Plasma lycopene concentrations were determined by HPLC analysis. On the whole, statistical analysis of data did not demonstrate a different effect of the type of lycopene source on the carotenoid absorption. The maximum increase in plasma lycopene concentration was about 40 nmol/L for both products at 10–12 h (p < 0.05) post-consumption and decreased to basal values at 24 h. A transient higher increase in lycopene concentration at 4–6 h (p < 0.05) after tomato lycopene with respect to B. trispora lycopene intake was observed.

In conclusion, the intake of a single dose of the two liposoluble lycopene formulations revealed a comparable, small, but significant increase in plasma lycopene concentrations.