LycoRed to Launch Unique Lycopene Delivery Tomatoes

Whereas ordinary cherry tomatoes contain a fraction of a milligram of lycopene, each Lyc-O-Mato self-dried cherry tomato provides more than 1mg of lycopene. The tomatoes were bred and commercialised by Tomaisins International, Ltd.

25/06/07 Israeli based lycopene supplier LycoRed Ltd., will launch Lyc-O-Mato self-dried cherry tomatoes a new addition to the Lyc-O-Mato line at the IFT trade show this July. These unique tomatoes were developed especially for food fortification at the Israeli agricultural research center, Volcani Institute. The tomatoes were bred and commercialised by Tomaisins International, Ltd. Whereas ordinary cherry tomatoes contain a fraction of a milligram of lycopene, each Lyc-O-Mato self-dried cherry tomato provides more than 1mg of lycopene, the powerful antioxidant that delivers so many health benefits. Only five of these self-dried cherry tomatoes are needed to provide the 5mg lycopene/serving recommended for the fortification of conventional foods.

As well as its fortification potential, the tomatoes serve as a natural alternative to traditional sun-dried tomatoes. The tomatoes can be bought and dried by the consumer, as they dehydrate in about 11 days and provide for an innovative and sweet gourmet concept.

Innovative, Lyc-O-Mato self-dried cherry tomatoes were conventionally bred with a water permeable outer layer that allows them to dehydrate quickly, while still on the plant. Self-dried cherry tomatoes provide a nutritious and tasty addition to a wide variety of foods that will benefit from the savory flavor and added tomato phytonutrients. Like the other ingredients in the Lyc-O-Mato line, the self-dried cherry tomatoes provide, not just lycopene, but the complete array of natural tomato phytonutrients, including beta-carotene, tocopherols and phytosterols. These phytonutrients comprise the Lyc-O-Mato oleoresin tomato lycopene complex which is already well established in the dietary supplement industry. Clinical research suggests that the synergy between the tomato phytonutrients is responsible for lycopene’s role in promoting heart, prostate, and skin health and in protecting cells from oxidative damage.

“The development of this unique means of delivering lycopene for fortification”, says Zohar Nir, VP of New Product Development for LycoRed, “allows us to offer yet another lycopene fortification ingredient that complies with a clean label. These tasty little cherry tomatoes are perfect for fortifying rice mixes, cereals, savory snacks, pastas and as the lycopene ingredient in nutrition bars.” According to Dr. Nir, the company will be licensing the use of the Lyc-O-Mato brand name and logo to manufacturers fortifying their products with the Lyc-O-Mato self-dried cherry tomatoes.