Z-Isomers of lycopene exhibit greater liver accumulation than the all-E-isomer in mice.

The effect of oral administration of all-E-isomer-rich and Z-isomer-rich lycopene on liver accumulation in mice was investigated. When a diet rich in the Z-isomers was administered for 4 weeks, the total lycopene concentration in the liver was more than 3 times higher than that of all-E-isomer administration. This result clearly indicates that lycopene Z-isomers show greater bioavailability and/or liver accumulation than the all-E-isomer in mice.