1. Introduction to Tomato Extract
Tomato extract is mainly derived from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a common Solanaceae plant. Tomato fruit is bright in color, with multiple colors such as red and yellow. The main raw material for extraction is the fruit part of tomato. Tomato extract is rich in a variety of nutrients and active substances. The most representative of these is lycopene, which is a carotenoid and the main reason why tomatoes are red. Lycopene has strong antioxidant properties. In addition, it also contains antioxidant ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene. At the same time, there are some organic acids in tomato extract, such as citric acid and malic acid, which help regulate the body's acid-base balance and promote gastrointestinal motility.
2. Efficacy of Tomato Extract
Antioxidant effect
Lycopene in tomato extract is one of the strongest antioxidants in nature. It can remove singlet oxygen and free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals. Singlet oxygen is a highly oxidizing active oxygen species that is easily produced under conditions such as light and heat, and can cause damage to cell lipids, proteins, and DNA. Lycopene protects cells from oxidative damage by accepting the energy of singlet oxygen and returning it to the ground state. At the same time, lycopene works synergistically with vitamins C and E to enhance the overall antioxidant effect, which can effectively delay cell aging and prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases. For example, in some in vitro experiments, tomato extract has a significantly higher ability to scavenge free radicals than some other common antioxidants.
Prevent cardiovascular disease
Tomato extract has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Lycopene can reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood and reduce the deposition of cholesterol in the blood vessel wall, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. At the same time, it can also inhibit platelet aggregation. Excessive platelet aggregation is one of the important causes of thrombosis. By inhibiting platelet aggregation, the incidence of thrombotic diseases can be reduced. In addition, the organic acid components in tomato extract help regulate blood lipids and blood pressure, and play a positive role in maintaining cardiovascular health.
Protect eye health
Ingredients such as β-carotene and lycopene in tomato extract are beneficial to eye health. β-carotene can be converted into retinal in the body. Retinal is a component of rhodopsin in the retina. Rhodopsin can sense light and is essential for the formation of vision. Lycopene can absorb harmful light such as ultraviolet rays and blue light, reduce the damage of these rays to the retina of the eye, and prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
Enhance immunity
Vitamin C and lycopene in tomato extract can enhance the body's immunity. Vitamin C is an important immunomodulatory factor that can promote the production and function of white blood cells and enhance the body's ability to resist infection. Lycopene can regulate the activity of immune cells, such as activating macrophages and T lymphocytes, improving the body's immune defense ability, and helping the human body resist the invasion of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Improve skin health
The antioxidant effect of tomato extract is very important for skin health. It can remove free radicals in the skin and reduce skin aging caused by free radicals, such as wrinkles and sagging. Lycopene can also increase the elasticity and luster of the skin and make the skin tighter. At the same time, the organic acid components in tomato extract help regulate the oil secretion of the skin, improve the texture of the skin, and also have a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on skin problems such as acne.
3. Application of Tomato Extract
Medical field
In terms of pharmaceutical preparations, tomato extract can be used to make drugs to prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as drugs that assist in lowering blood lipids and anti-thrombotic drugs. It can also be used to make drugs to protect eye health and prevent and treat eye diseases. In addition, due to its immune-enhancing effect, it can also be used as an immunomodulator to improve the body's immunity.
Health food field
Tomato extract is an ideal raw material for health food. It can be made into capsules, tablets, etc., to supplement the nutrients such as lycopene and vitamins required by the human body and prevent chronic diseases. It can also be added to functional beverages to enhance the health functions of beverages, such as anti-oxidation and immune enhancement.
Cosmetic field
In cosmetics, tomato extract is widely used in skin care products, such as creams, lotions, masks, etc. It is used to improve the skin's antioxidant capacity, delay skin aging, and enhance the skin's luster and elasticity. At the same time, its regulatory effect on skin oil secretion also makes it suitable for the production of skin care products for oily skin.
Contact Now
