INTRODUCTION
Lycopene is the major carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato
products, which are considered an important source of this
compound in the human diet (1, 2). The tomato lycopene content
varies considerably, reflecting the influence of variety (generally
genetic factors), maturity, and both agronomic and environmental
conditions during growing (2-8). Generally speaking,
tomato products tend to be concentrated, thus also concentrating
the lycopene content (9-11). Processed tomatoes additionally
appear to increase the lycopene absorption by body tissues, due
to enhanced bioavailability attributed to geometric isomer
variation during processing (cis-isomers are more available) and
to changes in the composition and structure of the food, which
may increase the release of lycopene from the tomato tissue
matrix (2).