Abstract
Results of the study indicate that lycopene has antimutagenic effects against two indirect mutagens/carcinogens 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and aflatoxine B1 and against direct mutagen/carcinogen N-nitroso-N-methylurea using the Ames and micronucleus tests. Effect of pure lycopene is lower than that of tomato purée, which contains a complex mixture of bioactive phytochemicals.
The antimutagenic effect is connected with the chemoprotective role of lycopene, tomatoes, and tomato products in the prevention of carcinogenesis.