Changes in color, vitamin C, carotenoids and tocopherols during ripening and senescence of tomato fruit

Purpose: Changes in color, vitamin C, b-carotene, lycopene, a- and d-tocopherol were followed during ripening and senescence of mature-green tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Rhapsody) maintained at ۲۲ °C and ۸۵% RH for up to ۵ weeks.  Research method: Tomatoes were harvested at the mature-green stage and valuated for color and the content of selected bioactive compounds (β-carotene, lycopene, α- and δ- tocopherols and vitamin C) during simulated retail market conditions (۲۲ °C and ۸۵% RH for ۵ weeks). Findings: The tested tomato cultivar had a long postharvest life under the tested conditions, as the fruit maintained in edible conditions during the whole storage period. Vitamin C, lycopene, a- and d-tocopherol presented their highest values after about ۱۴ to ۱۸ days after harvest, and b-carotene maintained a maximum content (۰.۸۴ mg/۱۰۰ g) ۸ days after harvest. The maximum content of vitamin C, lycopene, a- and d-tocopherol were ۰.۰۳۶, ۳۰, ۰.۲۷ and ۰.۰۰۴۵ mg ۱۰۰ g-۱ of fresh tissue, respectively. Our results indicate that 'Rhapsody' tomatoes harvested at the mature-green stage have shown important levels of vitamin E (tocopherols), C, and carotenoids (lycopene and b-carotene) after ۱۴ to ۱۷ days from harvest. Research limitations: There were no limitations. Originality/Value: This study evaluated the changes in the content of bioactive compounds in long shelf life tomatoes, of great importance for human health, for up to ۵ weeks to determine the ideal moment for their consumption.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antioxidants ، Lycopersicon esculentum ، Phytochemicals ، Postharvest ، Vitamin E