Polyphenol and l-ascorbic acid content in tomato as influenced by high lycopene genotypes and organic farming at different environments

Surface modified ZnO NPs by betaine and proline build up tomato plants against drought stress and increase fruit nutritional quality

Drought stress is a serious challenge for global food production. Nanofertilizers and nanocomposites cope with such environmental stresses and also increase nutritional contents of fruits. An in vitro experiment was designed to use Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) primed with Proline and Betaine (ZnOP and ZnOBt NPs) at 50 and 100 mg/kg soil against drought stress in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants. Plant morphological, biochemical, and fruit nutritional quality were accessed. Maximum plant height was observed under the treatment of ZnOP50 (1.09 m) and ZnO 100 (1.06 m). ZnOP and ZnOBt also improved the chlorophyll content up to 86% and 87.16%, respectively. Application of ZnOP NPs also demonstrated maximum tomato yield (204 g tomato/plant) followed by ZnO NPs and ZnOBt NPs. Nanocomposites decreased phenolics and flavonoids contents in drought stressed plants demonstrating the mitigation of oxidative stress. Nanofertilizer also increased the concentration of phenolics and flavonoids in fruits that increased the nutritional contents. Furthermore a significant accumulation of betaine, proline, and lycopene in fruits on nanocomposite treatment made it nutritional and healthy. Lycopene content increased up to 2.01% and 1.23% in presence of ZnOP50 and ZnOP100, respectively. These outcomes validate that drought stress in plant can be reduced by accumulation of different phytochemicals and quenching oxidative stress. The study deems that nano zinc carrying osmoregulators can greatly reduce the negative effects of drought stress and increase nutritional quality of tomato fruits.

Nutritional Quality of Conventional, Organic, and Hydroponic Tomatoes Commercialized in Quito, Ecuador

The consumption of natural foods is increasingly high, and in recent years, consumers have preferred foods from systems with responsible management of natural resources (organic, hydroponic). However, there are still contradictions regarding the nutritional content of products from these different types of crops. Our study aims to compare, for the first time, the content of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, lycopene, total phenolics, essential fatty acids), micronutrients (copper, iron, manganese, zinc), contaminants (cadmium and lead), and free radical scavenging activity between conventional, organic, and hydroponic tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) sold in markets in Quito, Ecuador. Ascorbic acid and lycopene were determined by HPLC/UV-Vis. Total phenolics (Folin-Ciocalteu method) and free-radical scavenging activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method) were determined via UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Lipid profiles were determined as fatty acid methyl esters through a GC-FID. Trace metals were determined using FAAS (micronutrients), and GFAAS (pollutants). No significant differences (p > 0.05) between antioxidant and micronutrient content among the three types of tomatoes were found. Regarding cadmium and lead, the contents were below the Codex Alimentarius threshold limits. Finally, free radical scavenging activity varied slightly (organic > hydroponic > conventional). Although the samples showed certain differences in antioxidant content, none of the tomato types could be considered nutritionally better because of the high variability of the results.

Cattle manure hydrochar posed a higher efficiency in elevating tomato productivity and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions than plant straw hydrochar in a coastal soil

Rehabilitation of degraded soil health using high-performance and sustainable measures are urgently required for restoring soil primary productivity and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emission of coastal ecosystems. However, the effect of livestock manure derived hydrochar on GHG emission and plant productivity in the coastal salt-affected soils, one of blue carbon (C) ecosystems, was poorly understood. Therefore, a cattle manure hydrochar (CHC) produced at 220 °C was prepared to explore its effects and mechanisms on CH4 and N2O emissions and tomato growth and fruit quality in a coastal soil in comparison with corresponding hydrochars derived from plant straws, i.e., sesbania straw hydrochars (SHC) and reed straw hydrochars (RHC) using a 63-day soil column experiment. The results showed that CHC posed a greater efficiency in reducing the global warming potential (GWP, 54.6 % (36.7 g/m2) vs. 45.5-45.6 % (22.2-30.6 g/m2)) than those of RHC and SHC. For the plant growth, three hydrochars at 3 % (w/w) significantly increased dry biomass of tomato shoot and fruit by 12.4-49.5 % and 48.6-165 %, respectively. Moreover, CHC showed the highest promotion effect on shoot and fruit dry biomass of tomato, followed by SHC ≈ RHC. Application of SHC, CHC and RHC significantly elevated the tomato sweetness compared with CK, with the order of CHC (54.4 %) > RHC (35.6 %) > SHC (22.1 %). Structural equation models revealed that CHC-depressed denitrification and methanogen mainly contributed to decreased GHG emissions. Increased soil phosphorus availability due to labile phosphorus supply from CHC dominantly accounted for elevated tomato growth and fruit production. Comparably, SHC-altered soil properties (e.g., decreased pH and increased total carbon content) determined variations of GHG emission and tomato growth. The findings provide the high-performance strategies to enhance soil primary productivity and mitigate GHG emissions in the blue C ecosystems.

The effect of layers of high tunnel covering and soil mulching on tomato fruit quality

BACKGROUND

High tunnels (HT) and plastic mulch can increase yield, extend growing seasons, protect plants from harsh weather conditions, and produce more marketable and attractive tomatoes. However, plastic covering reduces solar radiation, which may affect the quality of tomatoes. This study investigated the effects of single-layer versus double-layer HT and plastic mulch versus bare soil on the quality of fully ripe tomato fruits. The study was conducted over 2 years (2021 and 2022). The fruit color (L*, a*, and b*), vitamin C, pH, total titratable acid (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), and lycopene content of the two tomato cultivars (Brandywine and Rebelski) were quantified.

RESULTS

The results showed that quality parameters varied with the plastic layers of HT, plastic mulch, and planting year. The double-layer HT only showed a slight but significant influence on the color of tomatoes of both cultivars in the same year (P < 0.05). Brandywine tomatoes grown in the double-layer HT had significantly lower pH and lycopene content than those grown in single-layer HT, regardless of mulching. The effect of plastic layers on TTA, TSS, and lycopene depended on whether the soil was mulched. Tomatoes grown on bare soil had higher TTA and TSS values than those grown on mulched soil in double-layer HT. Tomatoes grown in single-layer HTs had significantly higher vitamin C content than those in the double-layer HT for both cultivars regardless of mulching.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that double-layer HT is unnecessary for the improvement of the overall quality of tomatoes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Enzyme-based kinetic modelling of ASC-GSH cycle during tomato fruit development reveals the importance of reducing power and ROS availability

The ascorbate-glutathione (ASC-GSH) cycle is at the heart of redox metabolism, linking the major redox buffers with central metabolism through the processing of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pyridine nucleotide metabolism. Tomato fruit development is underpinned by changes in redox buffer contents and their associated enzyme capacities, but interactions between them remain unclear. Based on quantitative data obtained for the core redox metabolism, we built an enzyme-based kinetic model to calculate redox metabolite concentrations with their corresponding fluxes and control coefficients. Dynamic and associated regulations of the ASC-GSH cycle throughout the whole fruit development were analysed and pointed to a sequential metabolic control of redox fluxes by ASC synthesis, NAD(P)H and ROS availability depending on the developmental phase. Furthermore, we highlighted that monodehydroascorbate reductase and the availability of reducing power were found to be the main regulators of the redox state of ASC and GSH during fruit growth under optimal conditions. Our kinetic modelling approach indicated that tomato fruit development displayed growth phase-dependent redox metabolism linked with central metabolism via pyridine nucleotides and H2 O2 availability, while providing a new tool to the scientific community to investigate redox metabolism in fruits.

A Controlled-Release Nanofertilizer Improves Tomato Growth and Minimizes Nitrogen Consumption

Minimizing the consumption of agrochemicals, particularly nitrogen, is the ultimate goal for achieving sustainable agricultural production with low cost and high economic and environmental returns. The use of biopolymers instead of petroleum-based synthetic polymers for CRFs can significantly improve the sustainability of crop production since biopolymers are biodegradable and not harmful to soil quality. Lignin is one of the most abundant biopolymers that naturally exist.In this study, controlled-release fertilizers were developed using a biobased nanocomposite of lignin and bentonite clay mineral as a coating material for urea to increase nitrogen use efficiency. Five types of controlled-release urea (CRU) were prepared using two ratios of modified bentonite as well as techniques. The efficiency of the five controlled-release nano-urea (CRU) fertilizers in improving the growth of tomato plants was studied under field conditions. The CRU was applied to the tomato plants at three N levels representing 100, 50, and 25% of the recommended dose of conventional urea. The results showed that all CRU treatments at the three N levels significantly enhanced plant growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight, and dry weight, compared to the control. Additionally, most CRU fertilizers increased total yield and fruit characteristics (weight, length, and diameter) compared to the control. Additionally, marketable yield was improved by CRU fertilizers. Fruit firmness and acidity of CRU treatments at 25 and 50% N levels were much higher than both the 100% CRU treatment and the control. The vitamin C values of all CRU treatments were lower than the control. Nitrogen uptake efficiencies (NUpE) of CRU treatments were 47-88%, which is significantly higher than that of the control (33%). In conclusion, all CRU treatments at an N level of 25% of the recommended dose showed better plant growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomatoes than the conventional fertilizer.

Genetics and breeding of phenolic content in tomato, eggplant and pepper fruits

Phenolic acids and flavonoids are large groups of secondary metabolites ubiquitous in the plant kingdom. They are currently in the spotlight due to the numerous health benefits associated with their consumption, as well as for their vital roles in plant biological processes and in plant-environment interaction. Tomato, eggplant and pepper are in the top ten most consumed vegetables in the world, and their fruit accumulation profiles have been extensively characterized, showing substantial differences. A broad array of genetic and genomic tools has helped to identify QTLs and candidate genes associated with the fruit biosynthesis of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The aim of this review was to synthesize the available information making it easily available for researchers and breeders. The phenylpropanoid pathway is tightly regulated by structural genes, which are conserved across species, along with a complex network of regulatory elements like transcription factors, especially of MYB family, and cellular transporters. Moreover, phenolic compounds accumulate in tissue-specific and developmental-dependent ways, as different paths of the metabolic pathway are activated/deactivated along with fruit development. We retrieved 104 annotated putative orthologues encoding for key enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway in tomato (37), eggplant (29) and pepper (38) and compiled 267 QTLs (217 for tomato, 16 for eggplant and 34 for pepper) linked to fruit phenolic acids, flavonoids and total phenolics content. Combining molecular tools and genetic variability, through both conventional and genetic engineering strategies, is a feasible approach to improve phenolics content in tomato, eggplant and pepper. Finally, although the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway has been well-studied in the Solanaceae, more research is needed on the identification of the candidate genes behind many QTLs, as well as their interactions with other QTLs and genes.

Quality and Nutritional Parameters of Food in Agri-Food Production Systems

Organic farming is a production system that avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic agricultural inputs such as pesticides, growth regulators, highly soluble mineral fertilisers, supplements, preservatives, flavouring, aromatic substances and genetically modified organisms, and their products. This system aims to maintain and increase soil fertility and quality, and relies on systems such as crop rotation, polyculture, intercropping, ecosystem management, covering crops, legumes, organic and bio-fertilisers, mechanical cultivation and biological control methods. The present review summarises and evaluates research comparing the quality of traditionally, organically and conventionally produced foods. In some cases, although the results of the studies contradict each other, organically grown in vegetables, especially berries and fruits are slightly higher dry matter, minerals such as P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn, vitamin C, sugars, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid compounds. In addition, their sensory properties are more pleasant. The nutritional content, quality and safety of organic foods are acceptable if the recent trends are reviewed, tested and verified. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile, describe and update scientific evidence and data on the quality, safety, bioactive compounds and nutritional and phytochemical quality of foods in traditional and organic fruit, vegetable and cereal production systems.

Investigation of Bioactive Components in New Resistant Hungarian Tomato Hybrids

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of genetic impact on the content of some characteristic secondary metabolites in tomato fruits. The study was conducted to screen 14 different tomato genotypes for antioxidant capacity and quality attributes (polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, vitamin C) to select the genetic lines with high biological value, multiple disease resistance, and high yield capacity for further usage in crop improvement programs. Significant differences were found among the different hybrids and cultivation seasons for the phytochemical content of the fruits. The varieties developed by breeding to increase their resistance were found to differ significantly. During a 3-year cultivation experiment, the level of lycopene in freshly harvested fruits ranged between 10.38 and 63.23 mg.kg^-1 fwt for outdoor-cultivated Naik114 and Naik352, respectively. As for β-carotene, its content varied between 0.49 mg.kg^-1 for Unorosso and 11.66 mg.kg^-1 for Cherrola F1. The highest level of vitamin C (702.59 mg.kg^-1) was recorded for Cherrola F1, while the lowest level (1.36.86 mg.kg^-1) was determined in fruits of Unorosso. Neither polyphenol nor vitamin C showed positive correlation with antioxidant activity. In the three cultivation seasons, the highest concentration of polyphenols (579.19-804.12 mg.kg^-1 fwt) was determined in fruits of outdoor-cultivated Cherolla F1 variety. The α- and γ-tocopherol content varied between 2.56 and 18.99 mg.kg^-1, and 0.28 and 9.35 mg.kg^-1, respectively, in fresh tomato fruit. Among the newly bred resistant varieties, the ZKI114 variety was proved to have outstanding features concerning the amounts of the bioactive components.

Tomatoes from the desert: Environmental footprints and sustainability potential in a changing world

Worldwide growing demand for food, alongside limited resources and accelerating environmental changes, suggests that future global food security may rely at least partially on unconventional land and production systems, such as built infrastructure located in desert areas. This paper analyses the environmental footprints (water, soil, carbon, material, solid waste, and ecological) of a tomato production system in passive greenhouses, a low-tech growing structure with no artificial heating or cooling. We collected data from 10 farms in the hyper-arid region of the Central Arava, Israel. Our analysis covers the four stages of production up to the overseas export destination and investigates the system's direct and indirect biophysical interactions. The average footprint of a ton of tomatoes is 1,040 kg/t (Material footprint), 94 m3/t (Water footprint), 72 m2/t (Land footprint), 952 kgCO2eq/t (Carbon footprint), 442 kg/t solid waste (SWF) and 243 gha/t (Ecological footprint). Our results indicate that the environmental hotspots can be attributed to universal factors–water production, fossil energy, fertilizers, structures, and road transport, alongside case-specific elements–soil, evaporation, location and the human-factor. Some differences were found when examining the full range of footprints within farms. No correlation was found between the farm's yields and materials inputs or carbon footprint, pointing to the human factor. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the local production system and proposed some improvement strategies.

Tomato Fruit Nutritional Quality Is Altered by the Foliar Application of Various Metal Oxide Nanomaterials

Carbohydrates and phytonutrients play important roles in tomato fruit’s nutritional quality. In the current study, Fe₃O₄, MnFe₂O₄, ZnFe₂O₄, Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄, Mn₃O₄, and ZnO nanomaterials (NMs) were synthesized, characterized, and applied at 250 mg/L to tomato plants via foliar application to investigate their effects on the nutritional quality of tomato fruits. The plant growth cycle was conducted for a total of 135 days in a greenhouse and the tomato fruits were harvested as they ripened. The lycopene content was initially reduced at 0 stored days by MnFe₂O₄, ZnFe₂O₄, and Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄; however, after a 15-day storage, there was no statistical difference between the treatments and the control. Moreover, the β-carotene content was also reduced by Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄, Mn₃O₄, and ZnO. The effects of the Mn₃O₄ and ZnO carried over and inhibited the β-carotene after the fruit was stored. However, the total phenolic compounds were increased by ZnFe₂O₄, Zn_0.5Mn_0.5Fe₂O₄, and ZnO after 15 days of storage. Additionally, the sugar content in the fruit was enhanced by 118% and 111% when plants were exposed to Mn₃O₄ and ZnO, respectively. This study demonstrates both beneficial and detrimental effects of various NMs on tomato fruit quality and highlights the need for caution in such nanoscale applications during crop growth.

Silicon nanoparticles decrease arsenic translocation and mitigate phytotoxicity in tomato plants

In this study, we simulate the irrigation of tomato plants with arsenic (As)-contaminated water (from 0 to 3.2 mg L^-1) and investigate the effect of the application of silicon nanoparticle (Si NPs) in the form of silicon dioxide (0, 250, and 1000 mg L^-1) on As uptake and stress. Arsenic concentrations were determined in substrate and plant tissue at three different stratums. Phytotoxicity, As accumulation and translocation, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds were also determined. Our results show that irrigation of tomato plants with As-contaminated water caused As substrate enrichment and As bioaccumulation (roots > leaves > steam), showing that the higher the concentration in irrigation water, the farther As translocated through the different tomato stratums. Additionally, phytotoxicity was observed at low concentrations of As, while tomato yield increased at high concentrations of As. We found that application of Si NPs decreased As translocation, tomato yield, and root biomass. Increased production of photosynthetic pigments and improved enzymatic activity (CAT and APX) suggested tomato plant adaptation at high As concentrations in the presence of Si NPs. Our results reveal likely impacts of As and nanoparticles on tomato production in places where As in groundwater is common and might represent a risk.

Genetic characterization and quantitative trait relationship using multivariate techniques reveal diversity among tomato germplasms

Tomato accessions collected from different sources were evaluated to study their diversity, genotype–traits association, as well as pinpoint most selective trait(s) in a controlled environment in Jimma, Ethiopia. The two terms pot experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The genotype–trait (GT) biplot revealed high percentage variability above 70% in related growth traits for the first and second principal components (PC) summed up, in the two trials, whereas related floral and fruit traits association indicated medium to high (55%–65%) total explained variations in both seasons. It further showed that ‘wild parent’, ‘CLN2498D’, ‘CLN2498F’, ‘UC Dan India’, ‘Ruma’, ‘PT4722A’, ‘CLN2679F’, ‘CLN2585C’ and ‘CLN2585D’ were the best performers in most of the related growth, floral, and fruit traits in those seasons. Principal component analysis showed that traits, such as plant height, number of branches, leaves, nodes, internodes, stem girth, style length, stigma length and diameter, flower length and width, number of flowers per truss, number of fruits per truss, and fruit weight per plant, in the first dimension were positively related to yield and consistent with high loading factors in both seasons and could be underpinned highly important in breeding for increased fruit yield. Clustering and its comparison of means showed that ‘CLN2498D’, ‘PT4722A’, ‘Ruma’, ‘Tropimech’, and ‘UC Dan India’ of cluster I in both trials expressed the best traits including related growth, floral, and fruit traits. Therefore, selection for any trait would favor accessions in this cluster.

Sustainable synthesis of microwave-assisted IONPs using Spinacia oleracea L. for control of fungal wilt by modulating the defense system in tomato plants

BACKGROUND

Changing climate enhances the survival of pests and pathogens, which eventually affects crop yield and reduces its economic value. Novel approaches should be employed to ensure sustainable food security. Nano-based agri-chemicals provide a distinctive mechanism to increase productivity and manage phytopathogens, with minimal environmental distress. In vitro and in greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the potential of green-synthesized iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) in suppressing wilt infection caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycospersici, and improving tomato growth (Solanum lycopersicum) and fruit quality.

RESULTS

Various microwave powers (100-1000 W) were used to modulate the properties of the green-synthesized IONPs, using spinach as a starting material. The IONPs stabilized with black coffee extract were substantively characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dielectric and impedance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively), and magnetization analysis. XRD revealed a cubic magnetite (Fe3O4) phase with super-paramagnetic nature, detected at all microwave powers. The binding energies of Fe 2p3/2 (710.9 eV) and Fe 2p1/2 (724.5 eV) of Fe3O4 NPs were confirmed using XPS analysis at a microwave power of 1000 W. Uniform, spherical/cubical-shaped particles with an average diameter of 4 nm were confirmed using SEM and TEM analysis. A significant reduction in mycelial growth and spore germination was observed upon exposure to different IONP treatments. Malformed mycelium, DNA fragmentation, alternation in the cell membrane, and ROS production in F. oxysporum indicated the anti-microbial potential of the IONPs. The particles were applied both through the root (before transplantation) and by means of foliar application (after two weeks) to the infected seedlings. IONPs significantly reduced disease severity by an average of 47.8%, resulting in increased plant growth variables after exposure to 12.5 µg/mL of IONPs. Analysis of photosynthetic pigments, phenolic compounds, and anti-oxidant enzymes in the roots and shoots showed an increasing trend after exposure to various concentrations of IONPs. Correspondingly, lycopene, vitamin C, total flavonoids, and protein content were substantially improved in tomato fruits after treatment with IONPs.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the current investigation suggested that the synthesized IONPs display anti-fungal and nutritional properties that can help to manage Fusarium wilt disease, resulting in enhanced plant growth and fruit quality.

Are Processed Tomato Products as Nutritious as Fresh Tomatoes? Scoping Review on the Effects of Industrial Processing on Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the second most consumed vegetable in the United States. In 2017, American people consumed 9.2 kg of tomatoes from a fresh market and 33.2 kg of processed tomato products per capita. One commonly asked question by consumers and the nutrition community is "Are processed tomato products as nutritious as fresh tomatoes?" This review addresses this question by summarizing the current understandings on the effects of industrial processing on the nutrients and bioactive compounds of tomatoes. Twelve original research papers were found to study the effects of different industrial processing methods on the nutrients and/or bioactive compounds in tomato products. The data suggested that different processing methods had different effects on different compounds in tomatoes. However, currently available data are still limited, and the existing data are often inconsistent. The USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Legacy was utilized to estimate nutrient contents from raw tomatoes and processed tomato products. In addition, several other important factors specifically related to the industrial processing of tomatoes were also discussed. To conclude, there is no simple "yes" or "no" answer to the question "Are processed tomato products as nutritious as fresh tomatoes?" Many factors must be considered when comparing the nutritious value between fresh tomatoes and processed tomato products. At this point, we do not have sufficient data to fully understand all of the factors and their impacts.

Effect of Foliar Fertigation of Chitosan Nanoparticles on Cadmium Accumulation and Toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum

Simple Summary

The experiment conducted on Solanum lycopersicum provided an insight about Cd uptake, and the way a Solanum lycopersicum changes its physiological, biochemical and morphological responses when CTS-NPs are administered against Cd. As an effective important polymer, CTS-NPs enhanced the plant biomass, SPAD index, photosynthetic rate, and protein content in the Solanum lycopersicum plants grown in Cd stress, as a study herein. Addition of CTS-NPs reduced Cd accumulation by increasing the nutrient uptake. Furthermore, CTS-NPs treatment enhances tolerance to Cd stress through hampering ROS production accompanied by H₂O₂ activity, through reducing the peroxidation of lipids by minimizing MDA content, and through improving enzymatic (CAT, POX, SOD), non-enzymatic (GSH and AsA), and osmoprotectants (proline) antioxidant contents that are considered as a first line of defense to protect plants from stress.

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) stress is increasing at a high pace and is polluting the agricultural land. As a result, it affects animals and the human population via entering into the food chain. The aim of this work is to evaluate the possibility of amelioration of Cd stress through chitosan nanoparticles (CTS-NPs). After 15 days of sowing (DAS), Solanum lycopersicum seedlings were transplanted into maintained pots (20 in number). Cadmium (0.8 mM) was providing in the soil as CdCl₂·2.5H₂O at the time of transplanting; however, CTS-NPs (100 µg/mL) were given through foliar spray at 25 DAS. Data procured from the present experiment suggests that Cd toxicity considerably reduces the plant morphology, chlorophyll fluorescence, in addition to photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity and protein content. However, foliar application of CTS-NPs was effective in increasing the shoot dry weight (38%), net photosynthetic rate (45%) and SPAD index (40%), while a decrease in malondialdehyde (24%) and hydrogen peroxide (20%) was observed at the 30 DAS stage as compared to control plants. On behalf of the current results, it is demonstrated that foliar treatment of CTS-NPs might be an efficient approach to ameliorate the toxic effects of Cd.

Fruit composition profile of pepper, tomato and eggplant varieties grown under uniform conditions

The study of the diversity within and between major Solanaceae crops (pepper, tomato, eggplant) is of interest for the selection and development of balanced diets. We have measured thirty-six major fruit composition traits, encompassing sugars, organic acids, antioxidants and minerals, in a set of 10 accessions per crop for pepper, tomato and eggplant, grown under the same cultivation conditions. The aim was to evaluate the diversity within species and to provide an accurate comparison of fruit composition among species by reducing to a minimum the environmental effect. Pepper, tomato and eggplant had a clearly distinct composition profile. Pepper showed the highest average content in total sugars and organic acids. Fructose and glucose were the major sugar compounds in the three species, although in pepper and tomato sucrose was present only in trace amounts. Citric acid was the major organic acid in pepper and tomato, while in eggplant it was malic acid. Pepper and eggplant had the highest total antioxidant activity. Vitamin C content was much higher in pepper than in tomato and eggplant, while eggplant accumulated high concentrations of chlorogenic acid. Furthermore, eggplant was the species with higher content in most minerals, particularly for K, Mg and Cu, while pepper was the richest in Fe. Due to their complementary nutritional profiles, a combined regular consumption of the three vegetables would supply more than 20% of the Dietary Reference Intake of several of the analysed phytochemicals. The large diversity within each species is of interest for selecting varieties with better nutritional and organoleptic profiles, as well as for breeding new cultivars.

Preliminary Investigation on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Commercial Salmorejo Found in Spanish Supermarkets

Salmorejo is a traditional Spanish food made of raw tomatoes, bread, garlic, and virgin olive oil. The food industry aims to satisfy consumer demand for ready-to-eat salmorejo while trying to maintain characteristics of the homemade product. In this work, we have assessed physical-chemical and color parameters, radical scavenging activity, and total polyphenol, lycopene, and β-carotene contents of raw and pasteurized commercial salmorejo, as well as homemade (raw) salmorejo samples. Our results showed that heat treatment had a significant influence on color parameters of salmorejo, with pasteurized samples being less red and exhibiting an increase in the degree of browning. Pasteurized samples also showed the highest radical scavenging activity when expressing the results per dry weight. However, when water content was considered, radical scavenging activity was superior in homemade samples when analyzing non-polar molecules extracted with acetone. Results were similar for polyphenol content. It was also observed that heat treatment affected lycopene but not β-carotene content. When acquiring commercial salmorejo at the supermarket, consumers have the option to choose between already prepared pasteurized or raw salmorejo. According to the results obtained in this work, physicochemical and functional properties of commercial raw salmorejo were comparable to a larger extent than pasteurized salmorejo compared to those exhibited by homemade salmorejo samples.

Characterization and Phylodiversity of Implicated Enteric Bacteria Strains in Retailed Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Fruits in Southwest Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) have very huge health-promoting benefits due to high nutritional composition; however, these fruits are potential reservoir of enteric food-borne pathogens causing major public health concerns. AIM: Characterization and phylo-analysis of implicated enteric bacteria strains in retailed Tomato fruits in southwest Nigeria were studied. METHODS: Ready to be retailed fresh tomato fruits were purchased from common food markets in southwest, Nigeria, which lies between latitudes 6° 21′ to 8° 30′ N and longitudes 2° 30′ to 5° 30′ E. Observation of sample storage potentials at different conditions and bio-typing of associated bacterial strains were carried out for consecutive 14 days. Enteric bacteria strains were genotyped with 16S rRNA assay and further profiled for antibiotic susceptibility to common antibiotics. High population rate frequently consume tomatoes. RESULTS: Early spoilage characterized with yellow fluid, fungal growth and visible lesions were observed at 25°C storage compare to few patches of lesion at 4°C after 14 days. Higher bacterial count of 4.0–7.18 Log CFU/g was recorded at ambient storage compare to refrigerated samples with more than 10% occurrence rate of Citrobacter spp., Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. Identified Citrobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. showed 100% resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime, cefuroxime, cefixime, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid). Two-resistant enteric bacteria strains, Klebsiella aerogenes B18 and Citrobacter freundii B27 obtained from Nigerian tomato clustered with Citrobacter strains in food (China), water strains (India, Poland, Malaysia), milk (Germany), and human fecal (China). CONCLUSION: Implicated multidrug-resistant enteric bacilli in retailed tomatoes can cause severe food-borne diseases which public oriented awareness, strategic farm to market surveillance are needed to be intensified.

Organic plant products are of more improved chemical composition than conventional ones

Considering the negative effects of conventional agricultural production, organic food production is a sustainable approach to production, which preserves the environment and protects human health. Organic products are products of high quality, without residues of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Through the review of literature data, the authors of this paper presented a comparative study on the chemical compositions of organically vs. conventionally grown plants and their products. Dry matter, nitrates, sugars, vitamins, macro-and microelements, as well as, secondary metabolites have been singled out. The analysis of collected data revealed that organic products contained more dry matter, significantly fewer nitrates, fewer proteins and a higher proportion of amino acids, more sugars, vitamin C, numerous macro-and microelements (particularly Fe, Mg and P), more polyphenols and they had higher total antioxidant capacity than conventional products. Although many authors have been dealing for many years with the comparison of the nutritional composition of organic and conventional food products, a clear consensus whether organic products have an improved chemical composition compared to conventional products has not been reached yet, i.e. the conclusions are ambivalent. Therefore, further long-term studies are necessary to clarify the existing doubts.

Organic plant products are of more improved chemical composition than conventional ones

Considering the negative effects of conventional agricultural production, organic food production is a sustainable approach to production, which preserves the environment and protects human health. Organic products are products of high quality, without residues of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Through the review of literature data, the authors of this paper presented a comparative study on the chemical compositions of organically vs. conventionally grown plants and their products. Dry matter, nitrates, sugars, vitamins, macro-and microelements, as well as, secondary metabolites have been singled out. The analysis of collected data revealed that organic products contained more dry matter, significantly fewer nitrates, fewer proteins and a higher proportion of amino acids, more sugars, vitamin C, numerous macro-and microelements (particularly Fe, Mg and P), more polyphenols and they had higher total antioxidant capacity than conventional products. Although many authors have been dealing for many years with the comparison of the nutritional composition of organic and conventional food products, a clear consensus whether organic products have an improved chemical composition compared to conventional products has not been reached yet, i.e. the conclusions are ambivalent. Therefore, further long-term studies are necessary to clarify the existing doubts.

Perceptions about Healthy Eating and Emotional Factors Conditioning Eating Behaviour: A Study Involving Portugal, Brazil and Argentina

This study analysed the perceptions about healthy eating as well as some emotional factors conditioning eating behaviour in a sample of people from Portugal, Brazil and Argentina. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving a non-probabilistic sample of 2501 participant. Data was collected through a questionnaire applied to adult citizens residing in their respective countries. For data analysis chi-square tests were used, and associations were evaluated by Cramer's coefficients. Moreover, a tree classification analysis was conducted for variables related with perceptions about healthy eating and emotional conditioning of eating behaviour. The results revealed that participants' perceptions are generally in agreement with healthy eating. However, significant differences were found between countries (p = 0.018) and by levels of education (p < 0.0005), with a more accurate perception for Portugal and at the university level. The existence of statistically significant associations between all sociodemographic variables considered and the conditioning of eating behaviour by emotional motivations should be noted. Tree classification analysis showed that the most important discriminant sociodemographic variable for perceptions about healthy eating was education, followed by professional area and country, while the most relevant discriminants for emotional conditioning of eating behaviour were country and then living environment and sex. Thus, it is important to consider these variables in initiatives that aim to promote adherence to behaviours that contribute to the health and well-being of the population.

Tomato as Potential Source of Natural Additives for Meat Industry. A Review

Tomato industry produces huge amounts of by-products that represent an environmental and economic problem. However, these by-products contain multiple bioactive compounds, which would make them a renewable source for obtaining natural antioxidants and colourants (carotenoids). This is in line with the preferences of the current consumer who demands more natural and healthy products. However, the lipophilic character of carotenoids means that their extraction must be carried out using toxic organic solvents. To overcome environmental and health problems of organic solvents, the application of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for the extraction of lipophilic compounds such as lycopene was used successfully, achieving yields similar to those obtained with conventional techniques. Nonetheless, the extraction conditions must be carefully selected, to obtain high yields and at the same time maintain a high antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, the use of tomato and tomato extracts as natural additives in meat products are reduced in comparison with other natural antioxidant/colourant extracts. However, different researches conclude that the use of tomato improved nutritional quality, reduced lipid oxidation and increased stability during the shelf-life period of meat products, while retaining or increasing sensory properties and overall acceptability, which converts tomato by-products into a promising source of natural additives.

Se Nanoparticles Induce Changes in the Growth, Antioxidant Responses, and Fruit Quality of Tomato Developed under NaCl Stress

Nanotechnology represents an opportunity to improve the use of elements in agriculture. Selenium is an element that is beneficial to plants and essential to the human diet. The size of nanoparticles gives them characteristics that can enhance the benefits that selenium provides to plants. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of selenium nanoparticles on the growth, antioxidant responses, and fruit quality of tomato developed under NaCl stress. Four doses of selenium nanoparticles (1, 5, 10, and 20 mg L⁻¹) under NaCl stress, only NaCl, and a control were evaluated. The results showed that the impact of salinity on the growth of the tomato crop can be reduced with the application of selenium nanoparticles. However, the amount of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds significantly increased in the leaves and fruits of tomato. The results suggest that the application of selenium nanoparticles generated a positive effect against salinity in the tomato crop; moreover, it had a positive impact on the content of beneficial biocompounds for human health in tomato fruits.

Effects of Organic and Conventional Growing Systems on the Phenolic Profile of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is largely appreciated for its proven nutritional properties. Additionally, organic foods are perceived as healthier by consumers. In this context, the aim of the present study was to compare the phenolic profiles of EVOO from olives of the Hojiblanca variety, cultivated under organic and conventional systems. The quantification and identification of individual polyphenols was carried out by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem mode (LC-MS/MS). Significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of phenolic compounds were found in organic EVOOs. The methodology used was able to detect previously unreported differences in bioactive components between organic and conventional EVOOs.

Interaction of Caffeic Acid with SDS Micellar Aggregates

Micellar systems consisting of a surfactant and an additive such as an organic salt or an acid usually self-organize as a series of worm-like micelles that ultimately form a micellar network. The nature of the additive influences micellar structure and properties such as aggregate lifetime. For ionic surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), CMC decreases with increasing temperature to a minimum in the low-temperature region beyond which it exhibits the opposite trend. The presence of additives in a surfactant micellar system also modifies monomer interactions in aggregates, thereby altering CMC and conductance. Because the standard deviation of β was always lower than 10%, its slight decrease with increasing temperature was not significant. However, the absolute value of Gibbs free enthalpy, a thermodynamic potential that can be used to calculate the maximum of reversible work, increased with increasing temperature and caffeic acid concentration. Micellization in the presence of caffeic acid was an endothermic process, which was entropically controlled. The enthalpy and enthropy positive values resulted from melting of "icebergs" or "flickering clusters" around the surfactant, leading to increased packing of hydrocarbon chains within the micellar core in a non-random manner. This can be possibly explained by caffeic acid governing the 3D matrix structure of water around the micellar aggregates. The fact that both enthalpy and entropy were positive testifies to the importance of hydrophobic interactions as a major driving force for micellization. Micellar systems allow the service life of some products to be extended without the need to increase the amounts of post-harvest storage preservatives used. If a surfactant is not an allowed ingredient or food additive, carefully washing it off before the product is consumed can avoid any associated risks. In this work, we examined the influence of temperature and SDS concentration on the properties of SDS⁻caffeic acid micellar systems. Micellar properties can be modified with various additives to develop new uses for micelles. This allows smaller amounts of additives to be used without detracting from their benefits.

Increasing Ascorbic Acid Content and Salinity Tolerance of Cherry Tomato Plants by Suppressed Expression of the Ascorbate Oxidase Gene

Ascorbic acid is considered to be one of the most important antioxidants in plants and plays a vital role in the adaptation of plants to unfavorable conditions. In the present study, an ascorbate oxidase gene (Solyc04g054690) was over-expressed in cherry tomato cv. West Virginia 106 lines and compared with previously studied RNAi silenced ascorbate oxidase lines. Two lines with lower ascorbate oxidase activity (AO−15 and AO−42), two lines with elevated activity (AO+14 and AO+16), and the non-transgenic line (WVa106) were grown and irrigated with 75 mM and 150 mM NaCl in 2015 and 2016. Growth, yield, and chemical composition of the lines under salinity stress were evaluated. Lines with lower ascorbate oxidase activity resulted in higher plant growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, flower, and cluster number in 2015 and stem diameter and flower number in 2016), and improved fruit quality (firmness in 2016 and soluble solid content in 2015) and total yield per plant under salinity stress over both years. In addition, we show that ascorbic acid, lycopene, and carotene contents of fruits were higher in lines with lower ascorbate oxidase activity compared to lines with elevated activity and the non-transgenic line under conditions of moderate and high salinity in both years.

Evaluation of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) cultivars grown in Texas and levels of various phytonutrients

BACKGROUND

In the USA, Momordica charantia is relatively unknown and is usually found in specialty markets. In the present study, cultivation of five bitter melon cultivars grown under field conditions in College Station (TX, USA), was evaluated. Additionally, ascorbic acid, amino acids and phenolic compounds were quantified from various cultivars grown in different years.

RESULTS

The yield of the first year of evaluation was comparable to other bitter melon growing regions, ranging from 9371.5 kg ha^-1 for the Japanese Spindle cultivar to 20 839.1 kg ha^-1 for the Hong Kong Green cultivar. Multivariate analysis suggests a strong correlation between yield and growth degree days, water use efficiency and organic matter, as well as an inverse correlation with the amount or precipitation during the growing season. The highest levels of total ascorbic acid were shown in the Japanese Spindle cultivar (162.97 mg 100 g^-1 fresh fruit), whereas the lowest levels were expressed in the Hong Kong Green cultivar (42.69 mg 100 g^-1 fresh fruit). The highest levels of total phenolics were consistently found the Indian White cultivar, in the range 10.6-12.5 mg g^-1 catechin equivalents. Seven phenolics and organic acids were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Additionally, the highest levels of total amino acids were found in the Large Top cultivar.

CONCLUSION

The current 3-year field study demonstrates that it is feasible to grow bitter melon commercially in Texas with proper climatic and agronomic conditions. Bitter melon is a rich source for ascorbic acid, amino acids and phenolic compounds, which makes it a valuable food source with respect to improving human health. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sensory Quality, Physicochemical Attributes, Polyphenol Profiles, and Residual Fungicides in Strawberries from Different Disease-Control Treatments

Using alternative agricultural practices in combination with proper postharvest handling has become a major goal to improve fresh produce quality. Here, two different strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa) genotypes were used as a model to study the impact of repeated, reduced-fungicide or no-fungicide applications on the sensory quality, physicochemical attributes, polyphenol profiles, and residual fungicide in strawberries. Strawberries grown under reduced-fungicide applications had similar or better physicochemical quality than conventionally and organically grown fruit and lower levels of fungicide residues than conventional fruit. Overall, flavor- and health-related attributes of strawberries from reduced-fungicide applications were intermediate between conventional and organic fruit. Thus, growing strawberries with reduced-fungicide applications can be an alternative to conventional or organic agricultural practices.

Bioactivities of phytochemicals present in tomato

Tomato is a wonder fruit fortified with health-promoting phytochemicals that are beneficial in preventing important chronic degenerative disorders. Tomato is a good source of phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids), carotenoids (lycopene, α, and β carotene), vitamins (ascorbic acid and vitamin A) and glycoalkaloids (tomatine). Bioactive constituents present in tomato have antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activities. Health promoting bioactivities of tomatoes make them useful ingredient for the development of functional foods. Protective role of tomato (lycopene as a potent antioxidant) in humans against various degenerative diseases are known throughout the world. Intake of tomato is inversely related to the incidence of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, ageing and many other health problems. Bioavailability of phytoconstituents in tomato is generally not affected by routine cooking processes making it even more beneficial for human consumption. The present review provides collective information of phytochemicals in tomato along with discussing their bioactivities and possible health benefits.

Influence of controlled deficit irrigation on tomato functional value

The effect of controlled deficit irrigation (CDI) on the accumulation of carotenoids, polyphenols and l-ascorbic acid was studied in conventional and high lycopene tomato cultivars. Plants were initially irrigated to cover 100%ET_c and after the fruit set phase, the dose was reduced to 75% or 50% of ET_c. CDI had no significant effect on the accumulation of carotenoids, while it increased the levels of the hydroxycinnamic acids chlorogenic and ferulic acids, the flavonoid rutin and l-ascorbic acid. Nevertheless, there were important interactions and this effect was highly dependent on the year and site of cultivation. Certain growing areas would be more favorable to supply high quality markets, and, fortunately, CDI would maximize polyphenol (100-75%ET_c) and l-ascorbic acid (100-50%ET_c) in these areas. A combination of the best genotype and growing area with CDI would offer high quality products, preserving a scarce resource: water.