Tangerine tomatoes increase total and tetra-cis-lycopene isomer concentrations more than red tomatoes in healthy adult humans

Betty Jane Burri PhDab*, Betty Jane Burri PhDab*, Mary H. Chapmanc, Terry R. Neidlingera, Jung S. Seod, Betty K. Ishidac, Betty Jane Burri PhDab*, Mary H. Chapmanc, Terry R. Neidlingera, Jung S. Seod & Betty K. Ishidaca Western Human Nutrition Research Center, USDA, ARS, PWA, Davis, California, USAb Nutrition Department, University of California, Davis, California, USAc Western Regional Research Center, USDA, ARS, PWA, Albany, California, USAd Department of Nutrition, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, KoreaDr Ishida and Dr Burri contributed equally to this studyDr Ishida and Dr Burri contributed equally to this studyWestern Human Nutrition Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, 430 West Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA 1 530 752 4748 betty.burri@ars.usda.govWestern Human Nutrition Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, 430 West Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA 1 530 752 4748 betty.burri@ars.usda.govWestern Human Nutrition Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, 430 West Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA 1 530 752 4748 betty.burri@ars.usda.govLycopene, or the foods that contain it, may prevent prostate cancer. Studies suggest that some cis-lycopene isomers are more bioavailable than the trans-lycopene isomer. We hypothesized that tangerine tomatoes, which predominantly contain the tetra-cis isomer, should be a good source of bioavailable lycopene. We fed lunches containing 300 g tangerine or red tomato sauce per day to 21 healthy adults in a double-blind crossover design. We collected blood at baseline and after each treatment and washout period. We measured tetra-cis, other cis, and trans lycopene, as well as other carotenoids, by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Both tomato sauces increased lycopene concentrations in blood, but the tangerine tomato sauce caused a greater increase of total and tetra-cis-lycopene. The cis isomer(s) may also have facilitated absorption of the trans-lycopene isomer. Indices of oxidative damage decreased as serum lycopene concentrations increased. Our results suggest that total lycopene concentrations can be increased by substituting tetra-cis-lycopene-rich tangerine tomatoes for common red tomatoes in the diet.