Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The tomato is an important crop worldwide, and in recent years it has received great attention due to its rich content of carotenoids, which in studies indicate to have health benefiting properties. Many studies have been done in this area of research and in how to optimize the carotenoid content in tomatoes and tomato products. The objectives of this essay were to summarize present data in this field. The results were as follows:

There are nine different carotenoids identified in tomatoes. Lycopene and β-carotene are the ones that have been given the greatest attention. Lycopene is the carotenoid that seems to have the strongest effect in preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The composition of tomatoes, in regard to carotenoids, is affectable by light, radiation, temperature and harvest, as is storage, geography and climate. It is possible to modify the bioavailability by different kinds of processing. Lycopene and lutein absorbance benefits from heating while β-carotene levels seams to decrease.

With all of this positive data it is most likely that the tomato will be a subject for further refining and gen modification in the future.