The demand for and knowledge of lycopene is expanding, and LycoVit™, BASF's synthetic version of the carotenoid, is expected to have GRAS approval by April.
A number of epidemiological studies have found an inverse association between high consumption of lycopene-rich vegetables and the incidence of certain types of cancer. A six-year study conducted by Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health examined the diets of more than 47,000 men. More than 40 fruits and vegetables were evaluated, and only lycopene-rich tomatoes showed measurable potential to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.