Natural lycopene concentrate and method for production thereof

Abstract

Natural lycopene concentrate obtained from a plant structure after alkalinization, solid-liquid separation, acidification and a second solid-liquid separation. The concentrate obtained is highly bioavailable and water-soluble at room temperature.

1 . Natural lycopene concentrate that is water-soluble at room temperature comprising at least 1 mg of lycopene per g of the said concentrate, not more than 30% proteins, not more than 30% polysaccharides, not more than 10% organic acids, and at least 30% of lipid compounds.  
   
   
       2 . Concentrate according to  claim 1  wherein the concentrate is in a form selected from the group consisting of pulverulent, liquid and gel form.  
   
   
       3 . Concentrate according to  claim 1  comprising a vitamin selected from the group consisting of vitamin E and vitamin C.  
   
   
       4 . Concentrate according to  claim 1  comprising between 1 mg and 40 mg of lycopene per g of concentrate.  
   
   
       5 . Concentrate according to  claim 1  comprising between 10 and 30 mg of lycopene per g of concentrate.  
   
   
       6 . Process for preparing a concentrate comprising the steps of 
 alkalinizing a plant structure containing a lipophilic compound;    heating the alkalinized solution to boiling temperature and maintaining the boiling temperature for 1 to 60 minutes;    isolating fibres and various insoluble compounds by solid-liquid separation;    acidifying a complex obtained; and    isolating carbohydrates and other soluble compounds by solid-liquid separation.    
   
   
       7 . Process according to  claim 6  comprising the step of adding calcium to the complex to obtain a gel.  
   
   
       8 . Process according to  claim 6  comprising the step of drying an emulsion by spray-drying or freeze-drying in order to obtain a powder.  
   
   
       9 . A cosmetic composition for slowing the ageing of the skin and/or to combat skin damage which may be caused by exposure to UV, the composition comprising natural lycopene concentrate that is water-soluble at room temperature comprising at least 1 mg of lycopene per g of the said concentrate, not more than 30% of proteins, not more than 30% of polysaccharides, not more than 10% of organic acids, and at least 30% of lipid compounds containing at least 10 −1 % of lycopene.  
   
   
       10 . A composition which can be ingested orally in order to optimize the absorption of lycopene so as to induce photoprotection and thus slow the ageing of the skin comprising natural lycopene concentrate that is water-soluble at room temperature comprising at least 1 mg of lycopene per g of the said concentrate, not more than 30% of proteins, not more than 30% of polysaccharides, not more than 10% of organic acids, and at least 30% of lipid compounds.  
   
   
       11 . A dietary supplement containing doses of 0.001 to 100% of a concentrate comprising natural lycopene concentrate that is water-soluble at room temperature comprising at least 1 mg of lycopene per g of the said concentrate, not more than 30% of proteins, not more than 30% of polysaccharides, not more than 10% of organic acids, and at least 30% of lipid compounds.  
   
   
       12 . A method for preventing a skin condition linked to exposure to UV comprising the step of administering to an individual at risk of same a composition comprising natural lycopene concentrate that is water-soluble at room temperature comprising at least 1 mg of lycopene per g of the said concentrate, not more than 30% of proteins, not more than 30% of polysaccharides, not more than 10% of organic acids, and at least 30% of lipid compounds.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of drinks, chocolate, ice creams, cereal preparations, soluble coffee and prepared meals.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dietary supplement is in a form selected from the group consisting of pills, gelatin capsules and tablets.