Modification of carotenoid content especially towards increasing lycopene content is one of the main targets of the oil palm genetic engineering programme at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) (Parveez et al., 2003). This is due to the potential nutraceutical properties of lycopene. It has been shown that this carotenoid has the greatest ability of quuenching singlet oxygen compared to other carotenoids (Di Mascio et al., 1989). Its protective effects against various cancer types have been demonstrated in a number of studies. These include tissue culture studies on different cell lines examining anti-cell proliferative activities, anti-tumorogenic studies using animal models, and a number of epidemiological studies.

Main Research: Omar Abdul Rasid