Lycopene, a carotenoid found in plant foods, is also a red pigment. Deep red needle-like crystal, soluble in chloroform, benzene and oils but insoluble in water. Unstable to light and oxygen, turns brown when exposed to iron. Molecular formula C40H56, relative molecular weight 536.85. There are 11 conjugated double bonds and 2 non-conjugated double bonds in the molecular structure, forming a straight chain hydrocarbon. It can be used as pigment in food processing and also as raw material of health food.