1,5-Dihydroxyiridanyl-lycopene was isolated from tomato puree, The oxi
dation of lycopene by hydrogen peroxide also afforded 1,5-dihydroxyiri
danyl-lycopene, in addition to lycopene-1,2-epoxide and 1,5-epoxyirida
nyl-lycopene. A reaction pathway for this dihydroxy compound is propos
ed.