at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in Mexico; In the study, which focused on eight tomato genotypes with different colored fruits, tomato fruits were found to have different antioxidant levels.
Laura Pérez-Flores led a team of researchers in evaluating the variation in carotenoid, polyphenol and tocopherol content between selected hybrid and native tomato lines, as well as assays for the antioxidant capacity of the fruit. The team also identified expression of genes linked to isoprenoid metabolism and two transcription factors linked to pigmentation.
According to Pérez-Flores; “Little is known about the contents of tomatoes, a source of antioxidants, and their arrangement in different colours, shapes, sizes, and genotypes. The association of higher levels of specific antioxidants in certain colors of tomato fruit suggests a 'balance' between these compounds."
The findings of these researchers are published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticulture Science; It has been clarified in the article titled "Antioxidant Balance and Regulatory in Tomato Genotypes of Different Color".
Being an excellent source of antioxidants, tomato contributes significantly to human health due to its anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic and antithrombotic properties. The results of this study support the direct commercialization of tomatoes with different colored fruits or the use of their genotypes in breeding programs to increase antioxidant levels among existing cultivars.
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Carotenoids and tocopherols are among the major lipophilic antioxidants found in tomatoes. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that interfere with the initiation, progression, and progression of cancer. The main tomato polyphenols are hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanones, flavonols and anthocyanins.
In recent years, the biosynthetic pathways of carotenoid, tocopherol and chlorophyll have been studied for their importance in understanding the regulatory interaction that contributes to the nutritional quality of tomato fruit.
The study was carried out in Mexico, which is the center of tomato diversification and breeding and therefore offers a wide variety of native genotypes with fruits of different colours, shapes and sizes. These genotypes can be integrated into breeding programs aimed at enhancing the nutraceutical properties of commercial varieties and recovering antioxidant compounds lost in the selection process.
All genotypes used in this study were part of the Mexican Plant Genetic Resources Network. All domestic and hybrid lines studied were planted at three replications, completely randomized and each experimental unit consisted of 10 plants.
The researchers found that higher levels of specific antioxidants were associated with certain colorations of tomato fruit. These genotypes can be used directly as food or in breeding programs to restore higher levels of functional compounds such as carotenoids, tocopherols, anthocyanins and vitamin C.