Researchers tested whether a special form of lycopene—a nutrient found in tomatoes—could help chickens stay healthier and fight off bacterial infections. They fed different groups of chickens regular food or food mixed with lycopene nanoparticles (tiny particles of the tomato nutrient) and then exposed them to a harmful bacteria. Chickens that ate the lycopene-enriched food grew better, had stronger immune systems, and were better protected against the infection. The highest dose of lycopene appeared to work best, reducing the bacteria’s ability to cause damage and helping the chickens’ bodies fight inflammation more effectively.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding lycopene nanoparticles (a special form of a tomato nutrient) to chicken feed could help them grow better and resist a serious bacterial infection
- Who participated: 1,250 broiler chickens (chickens raised for meat) divided into five equal groups, all exposed to a harmful bacteria at 28 days of age
- Key finding: Chickens fed the highest dose of lycopene nanoparticles (150 mg per kilogram of feed) showed significantly better growth, stronger immune responses, and much better resistance to the bacterial infection compared to chickens on regular feed
- What it means for you: This research suggests that adding lycopene to chicken feed could be a natural way to keep chickens healthier and reduce the need for antibiotics, though more research is needed before this becomes standard farming practice
The Research Details
Scientists divided 1,250 healthy broiler chickens into five equal groups. One group received regular chicken feed as a control, while the other four groups received feed mixed with different amounts of lycopene nanoparticles (50, 100, 150, and 200 mg per kilogram). When the chickens were 28 days old, all groups were exposed to a dangerous strain of bacteria called Pasteurella multocida that is resistant to multiple antibiotics. The researchers then tracked how well the chickens grew, how their immune systems responded, and how well they fought off the infection over the study period.
Lycopene nanoparticles are a specially engineered form of lycopene, the red pigment found in tomatoes. By breaking it down into tiny particles, scientists can make it easier for the chickens’ bodies to absorb and use this nutrient. This approach is similar to how some human supplements are designed to be more effective.
The researchers measured many different things to understand how the lycopene worked, including looking at chicken lung tissue under a microscope, measuring immune system chemicals in the blood, and analyzing genes that control inflammation and the body’s defense systems.
This study design is important because it tests whether a natural nutrient can help animals resist serious infections without relying on antibiotics. With bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, finding natural alternatives is increasingly important for both animal and human health. By measuring multiple aspects of health—growth, immune function, and actual infection resistance—the researchers could see the full picture of how lycopene helps.
This study was conducted with a large number of animals (1,250 chickens), which makes the results more reliable than smaller studies. The researchers used a control group (chickens without lycopene) for comparison, which is important for understanding whether the lycopene actually made a difference. They measured many different biological markers rather than just one outcome, which provides stronger evidence. However, this study was conducted only in chickens, so we cannot directly apply these results to humans or other animals without additional research.
What the Results Show
Chickens that received lycopene nanoparticles, especially at the highest dose of 150 mg per kilogram of feed, showed significantly better growth and health compared to chickens on regular feed. When exposed to the harmful bacteria, these chickens had much lower levels of the bacteria in their lungs and the bacteria’s ability to cause damage was greatly reduced.
The lycopene appeared to work by strengthening the chickens’ immune systems. Chickens receiving the supplement showed lower levels of inflammation-causing chemicals in their bodies, which meant their immune systems were responding more efficiently without overreacting. The chickens also showed improved production of protective mucus in their lungs, which acts as a barrier against infection.
At the cellular level, lycopene boosted the chickens’ natural antioxidant defenses—the body’s built-in system for neutralizing harmful molecules. Chickens receiving lycopene had higher levels of protective enzymes and lower levels of damaging molecules called free radicals. This improved the overall health of their lung tissue and helped them recover better from the infection.
The highest dose (150 mg/kg) consistently showed the best results across all measurements, suggesting there may be an optimal amount of lycopene for maximum benefit.
Beyond the main findings, researchers noticed that lycopene nanoparticles improved the overall structure and health of lung tissue when examined under a microscope. Chickens receiving lycopene showed less damage to their lungs from the infection. Additionally, the supplement appeared to reduce the bacteria’s ability to produce virulence factors—the tools bacteria use to invade cells and cause disease. This suggests lycopene works through multiple mechanisms, not just by boosting immunity.
This research builds on previous studies showing that lycopene has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, this is one of the first studies to test lycopene in nanoparticle form in chickens and to measure its effectiveness against a specific bacterial infection. Previous research on lycopene in animals has shown promise, but using the nanoparticle form appears to make it more effective than regular lycopene supplements. The results align with what scientists know about how antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds can support immune function.
This study was conducted only in chickens, so we cannot assume the same results would occur in humans or other animals without additional research. The study focused on one specific bacterial strain, so it’s unclear whether lycopene would be equally effective against other types of bacteria. The researchers did not test whether lycopene could replace antibiotics entirely—only whether it could help chickens resist infection better. Additionally, the study did not examine the long-term effects of consuming lycopene nanoparticles or whether there might be any negative effects with very high doses. The cost-effectiveness of adding lycopene to chicken feed at a commercial scale was not evaluated.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, lycopene nanoparticles at a dose of 150 mg per kilogram of feed appear to be effective at improving chicken health and infection resistance (moderate confidence level, based on animal studies). This approach may be useful for poultry farmers looking to reduce antibiotic use while maintaining healthy flocks. However, this research is preliminary and more studies are needed before this becomes a standard farming practice. For humans, this research does not provide direct evidence that lycopene supplements would have the same effects, though it supports the general idea that lycopene has health-protective properties.
Poultry farmers and the poultry industry should pay attention to this research as a potential tool for keeping chickens healthy without relying solely on antibiotics. Veterinarians working with poultry operations may find this useful information. People interested in natural approaches to health and disease prevention may find this research interesting, though it’s important to remember this was studied in chickens, not humans. This research is less directly relevant to people looking for personal health recommendations, as human studies would be needed to confirm similar benefits.
In the chicken study, benefits appeared relatively quickly—within the timeframe of the study (approximately 4-6 weeks after starting the supplement and exposure to infection). If similar effects were to occur in humans, the timeline would likely be different and would need to be determined through human research. Realistic expectations would be that any benefits would develop gradually over weeks to months of consistent use, not immediately.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users interested in lycopene intake could track daily tomato product consumption (fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice) in servings, aiming for 2-3 servings daily, since lycopene is naturally found in tomatoes. Users could also note any changes in energy levels, immune health markers (like frequency of colds or infections), or general wellness.
- Users could increase their dietary lycopene by adding tomato-based foods to meals—such as adding tomato sauce to pasta, including fresh tomatoes in salads, or drinking tomato juice. They could set a daily goal to include at least one lycopene-rich food source. Users could also explore other lycopene-rich foods like watermelon, pink grapefruit, and guava.
- Over 8-12 weeks, users could track their overall wellness metrics including frequency of illness, energy levels, and general health markers. They could use the app to log lycopene-rich foods consumed and correlate this with wellness indicators. While this study was in chickens, users interested in antioxidant support could monitor how they feel when consistently including lycopene-rich foods in their diet compared to periods when they don’t.
This research was conducted in chickens and does not directly apply to human health without additional human studies. Lycopene supplements should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment or antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider. If you are considering lycopene supplements for health purposes, consult with your doctor first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have existing health conditions. This summary is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. The findings are preliminary and based on animal research; more research is needed before clinical recommendations can be made for human use.