Lycopene is a naturally occurring chemical that gives fruits and vegetables a red color. It is one of a number of pigments called carotenoids., a kind of carotenoid found in plant foods, is also a red pigment. It is dark red needle like crystals, soluble in chloroform, benzene and oil but not in water. It is unstable to light and oxygen, and turns brown in the presence of iron. It can be used as a pigment in food processing, and is also commonly used as a raw material for antioxidant health food.