Extension of Life Span and Improvement of Vitality in Drosophila melanogaster by Supplementation with Lycopene Mycelium Powder from Blakeslea trispora

The free radical theory of aging believes that free radicals are involved in the changes in cellular metabolism that lead to a time-dependent functional decline in the living organism. Antioxidant or free radical scavengers may retard the aging process. In the current study, we explored the anti-aging activity by lycopene in Drosophila melanogaster. The results from this study showed that lycopene mycelium powder have the ability to prolong the longevity of Drosophila melanogaster, enhanced its reproductivity and sexual capacity, had the ability to increase SOD level and decrease AIDA level. From the above finding in the study, we concluded that lycopene can reduce the propagation of free radical reactions and limit the formation of new free radicals, therefore build a defense to protect the organism from the oxidative stress and slow the aging process.