Carotenoids are the tiny pigments that give fruits, vegetables and other organisms their vibrant hues. The human body cannot manufacture them, but they have a multitude of benefits.
The difference between lycopene and beta carotene is often confused but the main factor is that unlike beta carotene, lycopene does not contain any pro-vitamin A activity. Structurally, lycopene does not contain the beta-ionone ring, which is present in beta carotene. However, lycopene and beta-carotene have a similar molecular formula and molecular mass.