Increased tomato consumption has been associated with a
decreased risk for certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer
(Giovannucci et al., 1995; Zu et al., 2014). This association has
led to research focused on understanding the biological effects of
lycopene, the primary carotenoid pigment in tomato fruits. Tomatoes
provide approximately 80% of the lycopene consumed by
Americans (Clinton, 1998). Lycopene contains 11 conjugated (and
2 unconjugated) double bonds and can theoretically form 1056