Recent technological strategies for enhancing the stability of lycopene in processing and production

Lycopene, a popular antioxidant, exists abundantly in nature in all-E form, but the Z-lycopene has better solubility and absorption characteristics. Lycopene is labile to light, thermal and oxygen. Emerging technological approaches are developed to improve the stability of lycopene during production and processing. This review presents the degradation mechanism of lycopene. A comprehensive evaluation has made by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different extraction and isomerization methods. Encapsulation of lycopene in different delivery systems can further improve its stability. The process and formulation influence factors, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of lycopene encapsulation delivery systems are summarized. In the future, it is necessary to scientifically design low-cost and high-efficiency lycopene production methods.The stable and high bioavailable lycopene encapsulation systems need to be designed. Further study on the chemical stability mechanism of lycopene, the toxicity of biological materials, the safety of lycopene preparations also need to be evaluated.