lycopene

English

Etymology

From lycopin.

Noun

lycopene (countable and uncountable, plural lycopenes)

1. (organic chemistry) A red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes, other red vegetables, and in animal tissue; there is some evidence that it may lower the risk of prostate cancer.
   • 2007 November, Elizabeth Drake, “Combine and conquer: Use these winning food pairings to protect your health”, in Men's Health, volume 22, number 9, →ISSN, page 126:

     And eating avocado with salsa boosted the absorption of lycopene—a carotenoid in tomatoes—by almost five times.

Synonyms

• E160d (when used as a food colouring)

Related terms

• lycopin

Translations

red carotenoid pigment

• Catalan: licopè m
• Finnish: lykopeeni