lycopene /lī″kəpēn/ [Gk, lykopersikon, tomato] , a red crystalline unsaturated hydrocarbon that is the carotenoid pigment in tomatoes and various berries and fruits. It is considered the primary substance from which all natural carotenoid pigments are derived. Numerous studies correlate high intake of lycopene-containing foods with reduced incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration.
