Lycopene is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons, gac, and papayas, although not in strawberries or cherries. Although lycopene is chemically a carotene, it has no vitamin A activity. Foods that are not red may also contain lycopene, such as asparagus and parsley. In plants, algae, and other photosynthetic organisms, lycopene is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of many carotenoids, including beta-carotene, which is responsible for yellow, orange, or red pigmentation, photosynthesis, and photoprotection. Like all carotenoids, lycopene is a tetraterpene. It is insoluble in water. Eleven conjugated double bonds give lycopene its deep red color. Owing to the strong color, lycopene is a useful as a food coloring (registered as E160d) and is approved for use in the USA, Australia and New Zealand (registered as 160d) and the European Union.

Physical Property
Appearance	Red Fine Powder	Organoleptic	Conforms
Mesh Size/sieve analysis	100% pass 80 mesh	Organoleptic	Conforms
Specification	Lycopene>10%	HPLC	10.50%
Loss on Drying	≤5.0%	USP37<921>	1.80%
Ignition Ash	≤5.0%	USP37<561>	2.3
Contaminants
Mercury(Hg)	≤0.1mg/Kg	Atomic Absorption	Conforms
Lead(Pb)	≤3.0 mg/Kg	Atomic Absorption	Conforms
Arsenic(As)	≤2.0 mg/Kg	Atomic Absorption	Conforms
Cadmimum(Cd)	≤1.0 mg/Kg	Atomic Absorption	Conforms
Microbiological
Total Plate Count	≤1000cfu/g	USP30<61>	Conforms
Yeast&Mold	≤500cfu/g	USP30<61>	Conforms
E.Coli	Negative	USP30<62>	Conforms
Salmonella	Negative	USP30<62>	Conforms

1.Lycopene is widely used in food industry as natural colorant.    
2.Lycopene can prevent and suppress cancer.    
3.Protect cardiovascular system and anti-ultraviolet radiation.    
4.Suppression mutagenesis.    
5.Also lycopene has the function of anti-aging and enhancing immunity.    
6. Improving skin allergies.