ARS | Publication request: Watermelon Lycopene Does Not Affect Antioxidant Status of Healthy Subjects

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2002
Publication Date: March 1, 2003
Citation: Collins, J.K., Arjmandi, B., Claypool, P., Perkins Veazie, P.M., Edwards, A.J., Clevidence, B.A. 2003. Watermelon lycopene does not affect antioxidant status of healthy subjects [abstract]. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal. 17(5):456.5.

Technical Abstract: Watermelons are a rich source of the carotenoid lycopene. Researchers have reported that lycopene acts as an antioxidant in vitro by providing protection to human cells against oxygen and peroxy radicals. In a randomized crossover-design clinical trial, we determined that lycopene uptake from non-heat processed watermelon juice was similar to that of heat processed tomato juice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant protection provided to subjects by 20 or 40 mg/day of lycopene from watermelon. Plasma was analyzed for malondialdehyde formation products (MDA), plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). There were no significant differences in MDA, GPX or FRAP levels with either dosage level of lycopene or between treatments and controls. The inclusion of lycopene to the diet did not affect the antioxidant status of normal healthy subjects.