Lycopene content in commercial tomato cultivars for paste in Navarra.

摘要

The characteristic red colour of tomato is due to a combination of carotenoid pigments, of which the most abundant is lycopene. At present, it is known that lycopene is an excellent antioxidant which prevents vascular diseases and reduces cancer risk. Different works prove that the lycopene content in tomatoes depends fundamentally on genetic (vegetal material) and environmental factors (such as mineral nutrient supply, soil conditions, crop seasons), and on degree of ripeness. Cultivars with high lycopene content are favoured, since this characteristic is generally correlated with colour, carotenoids and dry matter. Previously varietal differences in lycopene content were not considered as important as yield. A study was undertaken in 2003 in Navarra (Spain) to analyse the influence of vegetal material (different cultivars of tomato for extract, cubes, slices, etc.) on different quality parameters, with particular focus on colour and lycopene content. A number of high lycopene content cultivars ('Ha-3502', 'Ha-3518' (Hazera) and 'DR-00094' (De Ruiter)) were compared with common cultivars ('Perfectpeel' (Seminis) and 'H-9036' (Heinz)) cultivated in the region. The selected cultivars had higher fruit lycopene levels (20-30 mg/100 g) than the controls (10-13 mg/100 g). In addition, the yield potential of these cultivars was lower than that of those currently grown in the region (30% less), however, lycopene production per hectare was higher. The cultivars were similar in respect to the other characteristics measured..