lycopene is another member of the carotenoids among which lycopene probably has the most powerful antioxidant.The name derives from the fact that lycopene was first discovered from tomatoes.With demonstrated antioxidant benefits,lycopene is generally attracting more and more attention.At present,there are natural lycopene and fermented lycopene in domestic market.

        The natural lycopene price is much higher and thus there are only a few manufacturers in China.As a seasonable plant of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill,tomato is liable to perish and thus difficult to store.It cann’t meet the needs of persistent production.Meanwhile,owing to its instability,lycopene is not suitable for long term preservation.Additionally,the production technology is complicated.Therefore,only a few enterprises can provide natural lycopene.According to herbridge.com, tomatoes have a favorable condition in Yanqi Basin, Xinjiang with abundant light and heat resources,plenty of sunshine as well as great difference in temperature during day and night.The weather is very drought and short of rainfall.The lycopene content of tomatos is higher than that in other places.Xinjiang Hongfan Bio-tec Ltd. located in Xinjiang province takes advantage of this abundant natural resourses and devote themselves to the development of lycopene.They become the only manufacturers of natural lycopene with supercritical CO_2 Extraction technology.They can supply lycopene and lycopene capsule presently.

NCPC is the leader enterprise.The specifications are as follows, 5%、10%、15%、20% and so on.Participants said the highest content of natural lycopene is 6%(determinated by UV).The price for natural lycopene is twice that for fermented lycopene.

        According to herbridge.com,6%UV natural lycopene price is around 3000RMB/kg,10%HPLC fermented lycopene price is approximately 2400RMB/kg.