Appearance/form: pale yellow-brown, transparent liquid with a strong aroma

Saponification value NaoH: 0.137

Sap Value KOH: 00.192

Functions: Emollient, skin conditioning agent

INCI name (PCPC): Solanum Lycopersicon.

CAS No: 90131-63-8

Iodine Value:

Family: Solanaceae

Introduction 

Tomato seed oil is extracted by pressing tomato seeds, which are the byproducts of the tomato processing industry that manufacture tomato juice, sauce and food colours. It is used both as an edible oil for salad dressings and condiments, as well as an active ingredient in various skin and hair care products (1).

Physical and Chemical Characteristics 

25% of the tomato seed is made up of oil, which is composed of unsaturated fatty acids when treated. Tomato seed oil is extracted from agro-industrial waste but is rich in natural bioactive molecules like tocopherols, polyphenols, carotenoids, terpenes and sterols. These phytochemicals have a multitude of health benefits due to their immune-boosting and antioxidant properties (1).

Health Benefits of Internal Use 

Tomato seed oil is rich in lycopene, a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their vibrant red colour. It is a potent antioxidant that has demonstrated nutraceutical effects in managing non-communicable chronic diseases like cancer, infertility, metabolic syndrome, nervous system degeneration and liver damage (3).

Recent studies have demonstrated that women with higher concentrations of β–carotene and α–carotene in their blood have a lower risk of getting breast cancer (4).

People with cardiovascular diseases benefit greatly from diet and lifestyle management. Carotenoids like lycopene and beta carotene found in tomato seed oil are known to protect the heart from these diseases while boosting immunity (5). 

Skin and Hair Care Benefits 

With its high Vitamin E, beta carotene and phytosterol content,  tomato seed oil can penetrate the epidermis to nourish, soften and hydrate the skin. Rich in unsaturated fatty acids like Linoleic acid helps to restore the functions of the skin's protective barriers while improving elasticity. Palmitic acid is known for its antioxidant properties that reduce signs of skin damage by effectively protecting it from harmful UV rays.

Tomato seed oil also helps to treat dry and brittle hair, with high concentrations of vitamin A and Vitamin B complexes (6).

Conclusion

Tomato seed oil is an active nutrient in skincare, hair care and lip formulations and is used in many cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

References

1. Kalogeropoulos N., Chiou A., Pyriochou V., Peristeraki A., Karathanos V.T. Bioactive phytochemicals in industrial tomatoes and their processing byproducts. LWT—Food Sci. Technol. 2012; 49:213–216.

2. Ref: https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=DJ2012045817

3. Grabowska M, Wawrzyniak D, Rolle K, et al. Let food be your medicine: nutraceutical properties of lycopene. Food Funct. 2019;10(6):3090-3102. doi:10.1039/c9fo00580c

4. Bakker MF, Peeters PH, Klaasen VM, et al. Plasma carotenoids, vitamin C, tocopherols, and retinol and the risk of breast cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;103(2):454-464.

5.Bartosz Kulczyński, Anna Gramza-Michałowska, Joanna Kobus-Cisowska, Dominik Kmiecik,

The role of carotenoids in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease – Current state of knowledge, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 38, Part A, 2017, Pages 45-65,

6. Szabo K, Dulf FV, Teleky BE, et al. Evaluation of the Bioactive Compounds Found in Tomato Seed Oil and Tomato Peels Influenced by Industrial Heat Treatments. Foods. 2021;10(1):110.