Lycopene has attracted much interest during the last few years because of its antioxidant activity against free radicals, suggesting protective roles in reducing the risk of several chronic diseases. Therefore, tomato cultivars, with increased lycopene content have been developed. However, a detailed assessment of their nutritional value remains scarce in literature. In this study, the effect of the stage of maturity on the antioxidant content and activity of six high-lycopene tomato cultivars (‘Lyco 1’, ‘Lyco 2’, ‘HLY 02’, ‘HLY 13’, ‘HLY 18’ and ‘Kalvert’) and one ordinary (‘Donald’) was determined. The pattern of change in lycopene and β-carotene was similar in all tomato cultivars, although quantitatively higher in high-lycopene tomatoes. In those cultivars, lycopene and β-carotene were respectively 1.68- to 3.7-fold and 2.11- to 2.48-fold higher during ripening compared to ‘Donald’. The lipophilic antioxidant activity was well correlated to the lycopene and β-carotene contents. The pattern of change in total phenolic, flavonoid and total vitamin C was cultivars dependent. At the red ripe stage, ‘HLY 13’ showed the highest total vitamin C and flavonoid contents. However, ‘HLY 02’ showed the highest total phenolic content. The hydrophilic antioxidant activity was only well correlated to the phenolic and flavonoid contents.
Effect of the stage of maturity on the antioxidant content and antioxidant activity of high-pigment tomato cultivars grown in Italy
LENUCCI, Marcello Salvatore;DALESSANDRO, Giuseppe
2013-01-01
Abstract
Lycopene has attracted much interest during the last few years because of its antioxidant activity against free radicals, suggesting protective roles in reducing the risk of several chronic diseases. Therefore, tomato cultivars, with increased lycopene content have been developed. However, a detailed assessment of their nutritional value remains scarce in literature. In this study, the effect of the stage of maturity on the antioxidant content and activity of six high-lycopene tomato cultivars (‘Lyco 1’, ‘Lyco 2’, ‘HLY 02’, ‘HLY 13’, ‘HLY 18’ and ‘Kalvert’) and one ordinary (‘Donald’) was determined. The pattern of change in lycopene and β-carotene was similar in all tomato cultivars, although quantitatively higher in high-lycopene tomatoes. In those cultivars, lycopene and β-carotene were respectively 1.68- to 3.7-fold and 2.11- to 2.48-fold higher during ripening compared to ‘Donald’. The lipophilic antioxidant activity was well correlated to the lycopene and β-carotene contents. The pattern of change in total phenolic, flavonoid and total vitamin C was cultivars dependent. At the red ripe stage, ‘HLY 13’ showed the highest total vitamin C and flavonoid contents. However, ‘HLY 02’ showed the highest total phenolic content. The hydrophilic antioxidant activity was only well correlated to the phenolic and flavonoid contents.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
