Abstract: Lycopene products include synthetic compound and natural product.Their biological functions are different.This study aimed at development of identification method.In experiment,C18-HPLC was applied to assess their carotenoid composition.The precursor and metabolites of lycopene biosynthesis were identified.C30-HPLC were then used to detect their of geometrical isomer composition lycopene.Their Z-isomer ratios of lycopene were compared.Data from those assessments suggested that natural products usually contained the biosynthetic precursor(eg.phytoene)and metabolites(eg.β-carotene)with a ratio of Z-isomers.According to those observations,the natural product and synthetic compound of lycopene can be identified.

Key words: lycopene, synthetic compound, natural product, identification