Lycopene Oil Suspension is a dark red to purplish-red oily liquid prepared by mixing lycopene from Blakeslea trispora with vegetable oil. The product is widely used as a colorant and fortifier in functional food, beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pet food.

HSF Biotech is the ISO22000 Qualified Manufacturer for Natural Color Products. Our lycopene is obtained from Blakeslea trispora through the fermentation phase using the two sexual mating types of the fungus in specific proportions, and the extraction and recovery phase involving solvent extraction.

product-2122-1722

technical advantage

Molecular Breeding and Strain Development

Modern Biological Technology for Strain Improvement

While the existing page notes that lycopene is obtained from Blakeslea trispora through fermentation, the production strain was developed using molecular breeding techniques. HSF applies transcriptome and proteomics analysis to identify key metabolic pathways, followed by targeted domestication using UV and plasma-based directed evolution. This approach modifies the metabolic pathways of industrial microorganisms to obtain targeted high-yield strains, enhancing lycopene biosynthesis under standard fermentation conditions.

HSF maintains a library of more than 100 superior industrial strains, providing a foundation for consistent production across product batches.

Mated Fermentation Process Optimization

Two Sexual Mating Types in Controlled Proportions

Blakeslea trispora is a heterothallic fungus requiring the interaction of two sexual mating types for carotenogenesis. The fermentation process uses a defined ratio of (+) and (−) strains to stimulate lycopene biosynthesis. Published research on mated fermentation of B. trispora demonstrates that the addition of vegetable oils-including sunflower and corn oils-to the fermentation medium can substantially increase lycopene production compared to oil-free controls. This approach is incorporated into HSF's process design to support efficient biosynthesis.

The fermentation is conducted using internationally advanced fully automatic equipment, with precise control over temperature, oxygen, pH, and substrate feeding to regulate strain growth and transformation conditions.

Microcrystalline Suspension Formulation Science

Particle Size Reduction for Enhanced Performance

The lycopene oil suspension is prepared by dispersing crystalline lycopene in vegetable oil. To optimize physiological activity and rheological properties, the crystal size is reduced using milling systems suitable for liquid mixtures. Ball mills with microspheres (0.5–0.75 mm diameter) are employed to reduce crystal size below 10 microns, with capability to achieve below 5 microns or even below 2 microns depending on application requirements.

The formulation incorporates D,L-alpha-tocopherol as a liposoluble antioxidant, added at a proportion of 0.2%–15% relative to lycopene weight, to increase the stability of the mixture and protect against oxidation.

Ingredients Sheet

Ingredients	Composition
Lycopene	≥ 10.0%
Sunflower Seed Oil	≤ 90.0%
Vitamin E	≤ 5.0%

Specification

Analytical Quality
Appearance	Dark red liquid to purplish-red Oil
Lycopene Content	≥30%
Loss on Drying	≤0.5%
Ash Content	≤0.5%
Contaminant
Lead (Pb)	≤ 1.0ppm
Arsenic (As)	≤ 1.0ppm
Cadmium(Cd)	≤ 1.0ppm
Mercury(Hg)	≤ 0.1ppm
Microbiological
Total Aerobic Microbial Count	≤ 1000cfu/g
Total Yeasts and Molds Count	≤ 100cfu/g
E. coli	Negative/10g
Salmonella	Negative
Staphylococcus aureus	Negative

Flow Chart

product-656-395

Application

Lycopene suspension can be applied in various ways for different purposes. Here are some common applications of lycopene suspension:

Dietary supplement: Lycopene suspension is often consumed as a dietary supplement for its antioxidant properties. It can be taken orally in liquid form, usually as a few drops or teaspoons added to water, juice, or food.
Skin health: Lycopene has been shown to have potential benefits for skin health. It can be applied topically in the form of a lycopene suspension to reduce oxidative damage caused by UV radiation, improve skin texture, and enhance the overall appearance of the skin.
Eye health: Lycopene has been linked to eye health benefits, particularly for protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Lycopene suspension can be consumed orally as a supplement to support eye health.
Prostate health: Lycopene has been studied for its potential role in promoting prostate health. It may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and alleviate symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Lycopene suspension can be taken orally to support prostate health.
Culinary use: Lycopene suspension can be added to various culinary preparations to enhance their nutritional value. It can be mixed into salad dressings, added to sauces or soups, or used as a cooking oil for a boost of lycopene content in meals.

product applications

Package and Storage

Storage

The product can be stored for 24 months in cool and dry place in the unopened original container. It shall be stored in tightly closed containers in cool and dry place, and protected from heat, light, moisture and oxygen.

Package

Packed in 1kg or 10kg aluminum can, 20kg per carton.

Packaging

R&D Platform

Full-Chain Technological Capability

HSF has established a complete, independently controlled industrial chain spanning strain design and cultivation, bio-fermentation, and efficient extraction and separation. In 2025, HSF invested over 50 million yuan to build two production lines for functional oil microcapsule powder, oil suspension, and microemulsion, enhancing the application depth of bio-fermentation products across fat-soluble and water-soluble formats.

The R&D Center provides core platforms for strain library construction, high-throughput screening, protein engineering, and fully automated fermentation. In 2024, HSF led the establishment of the Biosynthesis Innovation Center of Shaanxi Province, in collaboration with China Agricultural University, Shaanxi Normal University, and Beijing University of Chemical Technology, operating a full-chain innovation system covering cell factory R&D, enzyme engineering, and pilot process development.

HSF R&D Center

With its capability to advance projects from gene-level pathway engineering through to commercial-scale fermentation, HSF R&D Center offers a complete technological pipeline supported by core platforms for strain library construction, high-throughput screening, and automated process control.

product-1234-572