Antioxidant Composition in Cherry and High-Pigment Tomato Cultivars

• DOI: 10.1021/jf052920c
• Publication Date: 2006-03-29T05:47:58Z
• Authors: Marcello S. Lenucci; Daniela Cadinu; Marco Taurino; Gabriella Piro; Giuseppe Dalessandro
• Keywords: Dehydroascorbic acid; Lycopersicon; Carotene; Germ plasm; beta-Carotene; Flavonols; Cherry tomato; Biological pigment

Fourteen cultivars of cherry tomatoes and four high-pigment tomato hybrids were cultivated in southern Italy, the red-ripe fruits analyzed for their content different classes antioxidants antioxidant activity. Among cultivars, significant differences found between lycopene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, vitamin C (ascorbic acid dehydroascorbic acid), total phenolic flavonoid contents. LS203 Corbus appear to be with highest lipophilic hydrophilic among tomatoes, respectively. All showed an expected exceptionally high lycopene content. them, was cv. HLY 13. Hydrophilic activities both significantly influenced by genotype. Such results highlight existing unexploited variability germplasm stress need evaluate biodiversity support conventional breeding programs improve nutritional value. Keywords: Lycopersicon esculentum; tomato; antioxidants; lycopene; β-carotene; C; AsA/DHA; phenols; flavonoids