Search Results (373)

Background/Objectives: Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of cardiovascular disease. Lycopene, a naturally red carotenoid with strong antioxidant activity, may improve vascular endothelial function. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined lycopene’s effects on vascular endothelial function in healthy adults in the context of cardiovascular risk assessment. Methods: In June 2026, we searched four literature databases (Ichushi-Web, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Global Index Medicus), three clinical trial registries (International Clinical Trial Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials.gov, and University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry), and notification information for Foods with Function Claims, using peer-reviewed search strategies. We extracted human intervention studies assessing oral lycopene intake and vascular endothelial function. Two authors independently selected eligible studies and assessed the risk of bias. Data were pooled as mean differences (MDs) and analyzed using a random-effects model. The protocol was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000058348). Results: Six studies were included in this systematic review. A meta-analysis of four continuous (≥7 days) lycopene-containing product intake studies measuring flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (n = 182) revealed a significant increase in FMD (MD = 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.20, 2.51, p = 0.02). The certainty of the evidence across the four studies was limited and moderate. One study not included in the meta-analysis showed that 15 mg of lycopene intake for 8 weeks significantly increased the reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry index. Conclusions: This systematic review/meta-analysis with limited and moderate certainty evidence suggests that the continuous intake of lycopene-containing products may have beneficial effects on vascular endothelial function in healthy adults. However, the findings were derived from a small-scale meta-analysis in which the result was no longer statistically significant after the exclusion of one study. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) exhibits extensive cultivar diversity in fruit morphology, color, and bioactive compounds. These are closely associated with genetic background, ripening stage, and carotenoid metabolic regulation. Carotenoids, especially lycopene and β-carotene, are major determinants of tomato coloration and are also nutritionally and industrially important high-value-added antioxidants. Carotenoid profiles are regulated by changes in related biosynthetic pathways, including precursor supply, desaturation, isomerization, and cyclization. Key genes such as PSY1, CRTISO, LCY-B and LCY-E play central roles in carotenoid synthesis and accumulation, thereby determining color phenotypes. Mutations and genome-editing (CRISPR/Cas9) approaches can modify carotenoid metabolic flux and develop cultivars with improved nutritional traits. Furthermore, advanced and sustainable recovery strategies for carotenoids (ultrasound-, microwave-, enzyme-, high-pressure-, deep eutectic solvent-, and supercritical fluid-assisted extraction methods) have been developed for efficient pigment extraction. In this review, we compare the physiological and molecular characteristics of diverse cultivars and traits of advanced bioprocesses in terms of carotenoid extraction efficiency and solvent safety. Finally, we discuss various encapsulation techniques that improve product stability and storage performance in industrial applications. Taken together, we review practical strategies combining cultivar-based carotenoid production, sustainable recovery, and product stabilization. Full article

Lycopene liquid beverages are functional products with strong antioxidant activity, but their quality control is hindered by the lack of rapid and simultaneous detection methods for multiple indicators. This study investigated a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)—based approach for the simultaneous quantification of pH, moisture, and lycopene content in lycopene liquid beverages. A combined preprocessing strategy integrating Savitzky-Golay smoothing and standard normal variate (SG-SNV) was optimized via grid search to reduce spectral noise and scattering effects. Model interpretability was further enhanced by SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. Furthermore, four variable selection algorithms (MWPLS, UVE-SPA, ICO, and CARS) were compared to improve model performance and interpretability. The results showed that SG-SNV preprocessing notably improved the prediction performance for pH (R²_CV = 0.9398, R²_PRE = 0.9624) and lycopene (R²_CV = 0.9860, R²_PRE = 0.9576), while moisture prediction remained at a comparable level (R²cv = 0.9617, R²_PRE = 0.9727). SHAP analysis identified spectral regions that may be associated with each component, providing chemically plausible explanations. For variable selection, the optimal algorithm differed across the three quality indicators. For moisture, CARS achieved the highest prediction performance (R²_PRE = 0.9946), while ICO provided comparable accuracy with slightly better model stability. For pH, UVE–SPA produced the strongest generalization ability (R²_PRE = 0.9705) with only 5 selected variables. For lycopene, none of the variable selection methods improved upon the preprocessing-only model (R²_PRE = 0.9576); MWPLS retained a parsimonious 21-variable model but with reduced predictive accuracy (R²_PRE = 0.8888). This study explores a preliminary rapid and non-destructive NIR analytical approach for the simultaneous detection of multiple quality indicators in lycopene liquid beverages, suggesting the feasibility of chemometric modeling for this application. The results provide a preliminary foundation for future development of rapid multi-indicator analytical methods. However, this work was conducted entirely under controlled laboratory conditions using a small, gradient-designed sample set with no production-line or online validation; it should therefore be regarded as a proof-of-concept feasibility study. Substantial further work—including validation with larger, naturally variable sample cohorts—would be needed before the approach could be considered for practical deployment. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the world’s second-most cultivated vegetable. Production reached 192 million tonnes in 2023; approximately 23% is industrially processed, leaving 4.3 to 10.2 million tonnes of pomace each year. Despite its high content of lycopene, tocopherols, polyphenols, dietary fibre, and seed oil, most of this residue is composted, landfilled, or fed without prior processing. This narrative review examines how the chemistry of tomato by-products maps onto their effects in farm animals, and how green-extraction biorefinery fits within the European Green Deal. Reported pomace lycopene runs from 36.7 to 50.2 mg/100 g DM, with phenolics near 161.8 mg GAE/g. Lycopene is an efficient singlet-oxygen quencher; it activates Keap1–Nrf2–ARE signaling while dampening NF-κB. Supercritical CO₂, ultrasound, microwave, pressurized-liquid, and NADES extractions can now recover up to 91% of peel lycopene using green, food-grade solvents. In broilers, 5 to 10% pomace or 30 to 400 mg/kg purified lycopene improves antioxidant status and lessens heat stress; in dairy ruminants, ensiled pomace at 10 to 40% maintains milk yield while improving milk PUFA. In finishing pigs and rabbits, dietary pomace or lycopene improves tissue oxidative stability, with growth benefits reported in heat-stressed rabbits. Standardized bioactive reporting and clearer inclusion limits remain the main research priorities. Full article

Tomato is a high-value crop whose productivity and quality are threatened by climate change in semi-arid Mediterranean areas. This study examined the effects of environment, deficit irrigation (DI), and genotype on tomato yield as well as sensory and antioxidant characteristics. Field experiments were conducted over two consecutive seasons (2023–2024) at two sites in eastern Sicily differing in soil texture (clayey and sandy). Five genotypes—including two old local landraces of long shelf-life tomato and three hybrids—were subjected to three irrigation regimes based on the replenishment of crop evapotranspiration (ETc): 33% (I33, low irrigation rate), 66% (I66, moderate irrigation rate), and 99% (I99, high irrigation rate, control). Yield was maximized in clayey soil (+55% in 2023 and +44% in 2024) and under the I99 regime (48.48 Mg ha⁻¹). Among the genotypes, the most productive were the hybrids HL1 (‘Lycomech’, high-lycopene tomato) and MP (‘Febo’, mini-plum tomato), with yields exceeding 40 Mg ha⁻¹. Overall, old landraces showed lower productivity. Sensory quality (total solids—TS; total soluble solids—TSS; titratable acidity—TA; TSS/TA) and antioxidant quality (total phenols—TPs; flavonoids—Flavs; antioxidant activity—AA) were superior in sandy soil. Regarding irrigation, the highest overall quality was achieved with the I33 regime. The moderate irrigation regime in I66 limited the yield reduction compared to I33 and improved TSS, reducing sugars, TPs, Flavs, vitamin C, and AA compared to I99, although lycopene content decreased. Among the tomato cultivars examined, old local landraces, specifically the ‘Vulcano’ landrace, demonstrated greater stability and drought resilience than the three hybrids, maintaining their sensory and antioxidant quality across different environments and water regimes. Multivariate data analysis, using principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering, was conducted to assess the impact of experimental factors on the studied traits and to identify groupings based on similarities. In conclusion, local landraces of long shelf-life tomato appear better adapted to conditions of low soil water availability than the new hybrids. DI restoring the 66% ETc offers a viable compromise between fruit quantity and quality for these old genotypes, potentially facilitating their reintroduction into sustainable, low-input cropping systems in Mediterranean regions. DI also represents a viable agronomic option for the new hybrids, enabling the maintenance of satisfactory yield and fruit quality levels while simultaneously saving significant amounts of irrigation water. Full article

Natural bioactive compounds play an increasingly important role in modern cosmetic formulations, particularly in the context of efficacy, safety, and regulatory compliance. Among them, vitamin A-related compounds have attracted significant attention due to their well-documented effects on skin renewal, collagen synthesis, and photoaging prevention. This review provides a comprehensive overview of natural vitamin A derivatives and structurally related carotenoids used in cosmetic applications, including retinol, retinal, retinyl esters, β-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, lutein, and fucoxanthin. The article critically examines their intracellular mechanisms of action, distinguishing between canonical retinoid signaling pathways mediated by nuclear receptors (RAR/RXR) and the predominantly antioxidant activities of carotenoids. Particular attention is given to the metabolic conversion of provitamin A compounds and their relevance to biological activity in the skin. Furthermore, recent regulatory restrictions on the use of retinol and retinyl esters, especially within the European Union, are discussed in the context of formulation challenges and the growing interest in naturally derived alternatives. By integrating mechanistic insights with regulatory and application-oriented perspectives, this review highlights the potential and limitations of natural vitamin A-related compounds and outlines future directions for their use in safe and effective cosmetic products. Full article

Agro-industrial by-products represent a sustainable and underutilized source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in human health. Among them, papaya (Carica papaya L.) peel, typically discarded during industrial processing, constitutes a promising and underexploited matrix for carotenoid recovery and valorization. In this study, different extraction strategies were evaluated and compared to identify the most efficient approach for carotenoid recovery. Total carotenoid contents of 7.13 ± 0.32, 5.35 ± 0.24, and 4.44 ± 0.38 µg β-carotene/100 g dry weight (DW) were obtained, respectively. The conventional extraction was further optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize carotenoid recovery and antioxidant activity. The extracts obtained under the optimized conditions were characterized by spectrophotometric analysis, HPLC-DAD, and in vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH and ORAC-FL), exhibiting antioxidant capacities of 528.4 ± 43.3 µmol TE/100 g DW and 5.0 ± 0.5 mmol TE/100 g DW, respectively. The carotenoid profile revealed lutein as the predominant compound (1414.28 µg/100 g fresh weight (FW)), followed by violaxanthin (629.55 µg/100 g FW), zeaxanthin (624.58 µg/100 g FW), β-cryptoxanthin (531.23 µg/100 g FW), and β-carotene (278.82 µg/100 g FW), while lycopene was not detected. The predominance of xanthophylls, particularly lutein, highlights the potential of papaya peel as a source of carotenoids that have been associated with visual health in previous studies, supported by its significant antioxidant activity. Overall, papaya peel is confirmed as a valuable and sustainable source of carotenoids, particularly xanthophylls associated with visual health, supporting its potential use in the development of functional ingredients. These findings contribute to circular economy strategies and support the sustainable production of bioactive compounds with potential applications in functional food and nutraceutical formulations. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a member of the Solanaceae family, originates from South America and is currently cultivated worldwide. In tropical regions, it grows as a perennial plant, whereas in temperate and subtropical climates, it is cultivated as an annual because of its sensitivity to frost. Tomato fruits are an important source of bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, polyphenols, minerals, and vitamins. Their widespread consumption and status as one of the most commonly consumed horticultural crops worldwide make tomatoes an important dietary source of these compounds. Tomatoes are commonly consumed fresh, but they are also an important raw material for the food industry. The main tomato products include juices, concentrates, purées, and sauces. The chemical composition and concentration of bioactive compounds in tomato fruits depend on several factors, including cultivar, stage of ripeness, environmental conditions, and cultivation and processing technologies. Numerous studies indicate that compounds present in tomatoes exhibit antioxidant properties and have been associated with potential health-promoting effects. Among these, carotenoids, particularly lycopene, play a key role. This review summarizes current knowledge on the nutritional value, composition, and functional properties of tomatoes. It also addresses the antinutritional aspects of tomato compounds, as well as the influence of agrotechnical, environmental, and technological factors on the content of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, this review may support the design of future research by critically analyzing existing studies and highlighting inconsistencies and knowledge gaps. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a globally important vegetable crop and a major dietary source of bioactive compounds, including lycopene, ascorbic acid, phenolics, and minerals. Modern tomato breeding has substantially improved yield, uniformity, and postharvest performance; however, these gains have often been accompanied by reduced flavor quality, lower nutritional value, and narrowing of the genetic base. This review synthesizes available evidence on Lithuanian tomato germplasm and evaluates its relevance for future breeding strategies aimed at enhancing genetic gain under Northern European conditions. The review integrates published data on genetic diversity, molecular characterization, morphological traits, fruit quality parameters, and yield performance of Lithuanian cultivars and hybrids developed in Lithuania. SSR-based studies indicate moderate genetic diversity, with mean expected heterozygosity of approximately 0.51 and mean PIC values of 0.47 in cultivars and 0.45 in hybrids, while also confirming a relatively narrow breeding pool. Lithuanian cultivars display substantial variation in fruit morphology, dry matter, soluble solids, firmness, lycopene, ascorbic acid, and yield. Traditional cultivars such as ‘Svara’, ‘Milžinai’, ‘Slapukai’, and ‘Balčiai’ show valuable nutritional and technological traits, whereas hybrids such as ‘Auksiai H’, ‘Adas H’, and ‘Ainiai H’ demonstrate improved productivity and firmness. The available evidence suggests persistent yield–quality trade-offs, particularly between productivity, soluble solids content, antioxidant accumulation, and postharvest performance. Although Lithuanian germplasm does not represent exceptionally broad genetic diversity, it contains regionally adapted material with stabilized trait combinations useful for breeding resilience, nutritional quality, and adaptation to temperate environments. Future progress will require broadening the genetic base and integrating traditional breeding with marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, GWAS, genome editing, multi-omics, and pangenomic approaches. Overall, Lithuanian tomato germplasm represents a locally adapted regional resource for translating genetic diversity into genetic gain in modern tomato breeding. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most extensively cultivated crops worldwide and a recognized dietary-rich source of phytochemicals associated with cardioprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-aging properties. This study provides a comprehensive comparative assessment of the lipophilic composition, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity of six Solanum varieties, namely Roma, Kumato, Globe, and Vine (S. lycopersicum L.), Cherry (S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme), and Tamarillo (S. betaceum), using a validated μQuEChERS/HPLC-PDA analytical approach combined with complementary in vitro antioxidant assays. The optimized analytical method exhibited robust analytical performance, with strong linearity (R² ≥ 0.993), high sensitivity and selectivity, satisfactory precision (%RSD < 20%), and acceptable recoveries (78–118%), confirming its suitability for routine profiling of lipophilic compounds in complex matrices. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among varieties, highlighting the strong role of genotype in modulating lipophilic phytochemical accumulation. Kumato and Cherry exhibited the highest levels of lycopene, β-carotene, and tocopherols, whereas Globe consistently exhibited the lowest lipophilic antioxidant content. In vitro assays identified Vine with the greatest TPC (290 µgGAE/g dw) and antioxidant activity (1603 µgTE/g dw), while Globe recorded the lowest values (194 µgGAE/g dw and 1395 µgTE/g dw, respectively). Hierarchical clustering analysis further corroborated these findings, revealing three chemically distinct clusters: Vine and Tamarillo associated with superior TPC and antioxidant activity; Cherry and Kumato characterized by elevated carotenoid and tocopherol content; and Globe and Roma distinguished by comparatively lower nutritional quality across all parameters assessed. These results demonstrate that the validated μQuEChERS/HPLC-PDA method is a reliable, sensitive, and efficient tool for comparative phytochemical profiling of tomato varieties. The observed compositional differences may contribute to future studies focused on nutritional evaluation, traceability, and authenticity assessment of tomato-derived products. Full article

Background/Objectives: The high temperatures associated with climate change represent an important constraint for tomato production in tropical regions, affecting plant growth, reproductive development, and fruit metabolic composition. In this context, protected cultivation systems capable of modifying greenhouse microclimates may help reduce thermal stress and maintain crop productivity. Methods: This study evaluated the effects of two protective environments, diffuse agricultural film (AF) and twin-walled polycarbonate panels with laminar water flow (P), on the agronomic performance and fruit metabolic traits of five grape–tomato hybrids grown under tropical conditions. Microclimatic variables, vegetative growth, yield components, postharvest behavior, and fruit quality attributes were evaluated, with emphasis on carotenoid accumulation. Results: Compared with the agricultural film environment, the polycarbonate system reduced global radiation and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and was associated with an increase in yield of approximately 25%, an increase in fruit number of approximately 13%, and an 8% increase in fruit diameter. In addition, some hybrids cultivated under the polycarbonate system showed greater lycopene and β-carotene accumulation, indicating that microclimate moderation may favor carotenoid-related fruit quality depending on genotype. Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation between cultivation environments, with the polycarbonate system more closely associated with yield-related and canopy development traits, whereas the agricultural film environment was linked to biomass accumulation and selected physicochemical attributes. Among the evaluated hybrids, BS IGR0104, Jacy, and GI7545 showed the most favorable combination of agronomic performance and fruit quality traits. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the importance of climate-adaptive protected cultivation systems and hybrid selection for improving tomato productivity under tropical heat conditions. Full article

Inflammation plays a crucial role in defending the body against harmful stimuli and maintaining physiological balance; however, when it becomes chronic, it contributes to the pathogenesis of several long-term diseases, including autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, and various cancers. Although conventional anti-inflammatory drugs provide symptomatic relief, their long-term use is often associated with adverse side effects. This limitation has shifted scientific attention toward naturally occurring bioactive molecules with potent, safer anti-inflammatory activity. Dietary incorporation of phytopharmaceuticals, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and fatty acids, has been shown to regulate immune and oxidative mechanisms and to modulate key inflammatory signaling cascades, including the NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and JAK/STAT pathways. These agents also influence cytokine secretion, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and antioxidant defense mechanisms involving the Nrf2/HO-1 axis. The current review emphasizes the relevance of major natural plant products in therapy, like quercetin and rutin, resveratrol, glycyrrhizin, lycopene, and indole-3-carbinol. Moreover, recent progress in anti-inflammatory research has focused on novel resolution-based strategies that extend beyond inflammation and oxidative stress suppression. In addition, the review discusses innovations including nanoformulation-assisted targeted delivery, specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators such as resolvins and protectins, and microbiota-oriented therapeutic approaches. Additionally, the review highlights the integration of personalized medicine supported by multi-omics technologies to enhance treatment precision and clinical outcomes. By synthesizing findings from preclinical studies and clinical investigations, this work emphasizes the synergistic therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds from natural sources and resolution-enhancing techniques in restoring immune homeostasis and effectively mitigating chronic inflammation. Full article

Optimizing cultivation methods is crucial for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of protected agriculture in water-limited regions. This study systematically evaluated the effects of three cultivation methods—bucket, non-woven bag, and underground trough cultivation—on the root-zone environment, growth, yield, and quality of greenhouse-grown tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Provence’) in a Gobi Desert facility. Key root-zone parameters (substrate temperature, moisture, and electrical conductivity) and plant agronomic traits (plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and SPAD) were monitored throughout the growth cycle. Final yield and fruit quality indicators (lycopene, soluble sugars, and vitamin C) were analyzed. The results demonstrated that bucket and underground trough cultivation created a more stable root-zone environment, with better moisture retention and temperature regulation than bag cultivation. These methods significantly improved plant growth, with yield per plant increasing by 23.18% and 18.18% under bucket and underground trough cultivation, respectively, alongside enhanced fruit quality metrics. In conclusion, bucket and underground trough cultivation effectively optimize the root-zone environment, leading to superior tomato growth, yield, and quality compared to traditional non-woven bag cultivation. These methods show significant potential for application in arid and semi-arid regions to support sustainable and efficient greenhouse production. Full article

Carotenoids are an important class of natural compounds, essential for human nutrition, acting in plants as pigments and apocarotenoid precursors. Tomato is a key model for carotenoid metabolism, as genetic variation strongly affects carotenoid composition during fruit ripening. To date, most of the enzymes involved in the carotenoid pathway were mainly characterized by linking gain- or loss-of-function phenotypes to their genetic basis (e.g., mutation in a single gene), with limited integration into pathway-wide analyses. Here we report an extensive biochemical and molecular characterization of a collection of tomato carotenoid mutants—apricot (at), yellow flesh (r), tangerine (t), Delta (Del) and Beta (B)—throughout three different stages of fruit ripening (mature green, breaker, red ripe). Using correlation-based integrative analyses, we integrated targeted isoprenoid metabolomics (carotenoids, chlorophylls, tocochromanols, quinones, abscisic acid) with gene expression profiling and correlation-based analyses. The pronounced, stage-dependent remodeling of the isoprenoid profiles exceeded the expected changes in substrates/products and was accompanied by significant transcriptional changes, largely independent of the position of the mutated step in the pathway. This integration highlighted metabolite/transcript regulatory links and the central role of lycopene cyclization in isoprenoid metabolism rewiring, thus improving our understanding of mechanisms controlling their accumulation during tomato fruit ripening. Full article

Dietary supplements, especially lycopene-containing ones, are of interest because of their antioxidant and potential health-promoting effects; however, their actual composition and safety have not been sufficiently verified. This study evaluated the accuracy of labelled lycopene content and assessed selected chemical and microbiological safety parameters in commercially available products. Lycopene levels were determined spectrophotometrically and by HPLC, whereas pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological purity were analysed using validated regulatory-compliant methods. Marked inconsistencies were found between the declared and measured lycopene content, with HPLC revealing concentrations up to 70% above label claims. Methomyl (0.059 mg/kg), a pesticide not approved in the EU, was detected in one supplement, heavy metal concentrations met current regulatory limits, and other elements remained below quantification thresholds. Microbiological quality was satisfactory, with low total viable counts and absence of pathogens, yeasts, and moulds; only low levels of environmental spore-forming bacteria were detected. The findings highlight acceptable microbiological and elemental safety but reveal substantial deviations in lycopene content labelled/determined and the presence of a non-approved pesticide (however, below the MRL). A comprehensive multi-parameter quality assessment is essential to ensure the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of lycopene supplements. Full article