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Spondias purpurea L. is a fruit native to Mexico, however, it is found as far away as Brazil. It possesses a high commercial potential owing to its sensorial and nutritional qualities and its low cost of production. There exists a variety of ecotypes that have not been characterized and their adequate selection process, according to their strongest functional characteristics, will allow the establishment of improvement programs for this genetic resource. The object of this study was the chemical characterization and the determination of the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacity of 7 Spondias purpurea L. ecotypes. Differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity and the content of functional compounds among all the ecotypes analyzed. A high total phenolic content and a low flavonoid and carotenoid content were found, both in the epicarp and in the pulp. In each ecotype, the hydrophilic phase presented up to 40 times greater antioxidant capacity compared to the lipophilic phase. The hydrophilic phase of the epicarp of "Costeña Tierra Colorada" had the greatest antioxidant capacity and highest total phenolic content, whereas "Jocote" presented the lowest antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. A positive correlation was observed between phenol levels and the antioxidant capacity in the epicarp. Regarding antioxidant activity in vivo, it was observed that in all analyzed concentrations of hydrophilic extracts of the epicarp of "Costeña Tierra Colorada" and in the highest "Jocote" concentrations, they provided thermo-protection against heat stress as well as a general well-being to the worm as evidenced by their high mobility.

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, PSY ABSTRACT. Antioxidants, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of isoprenoid metabolism-related genes and two pigmentation-related transcription factors were studied in four native and four hybrid tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) genotypes with different-colored fruit. Red fruit genotypes were associated with greater lycopene, b-carotene, lipophilic antioxidant capacity, and greater chromoplast-specific lycopene b-cyclase (CYC-B) transcript levels. Orange fruit genotypes had greater concentrations of tocopherols and greater transcript levels of homogentisate phytyl transferase (VTE-2), 1-deoxy-D-xylulose phosphate synthase (DXS), and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). The yellow fruit genotype was greater in total polyphenol and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity with greater expression of geranylgeranyl reductase (GGDR), phytol kinase (VTE-5), phytoene synthase (PSY) 2, lycopene b-cyclase (LCY-B), SlNAC1, and SINAC4. Greater levels of individual antioxidants were associated with specific coloration of tomato fruit. Moreover, the negative correlations between the expression of PSY1 and VTE-5, and between lycopene and chlorophyll, suggest a balance between carotenoids, tocopherols, and chlorophylls. The results of this study support either the direct commercialization of tomatoes with different color fruit or use of their genotypes in breeding programs to increase antioxidant levels among existing cultivars.

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The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit has been widely studied because of its high consumption, nutritional value, and well-characterized genome. It also represents a good model for studying the structure and function of the cuticle, a protective film that is deposited on the surface of outer epidermal cell walls, and affects the integrity and firmness of the fruit, and, therefore, its commercialization. To evaluate the differences in their structure and function, we characterized the morphology of the cuticle and the epidermis and their relationship to firmness, brightness, weight loss, and transcript levels of polygalacturonase (PGA) in four hybrid genotypes and four native genotypes of different origins, shapes, and colors. Our results show a different architecture of the epidermis and cell wall among the genotypes. Native genotypes showed irregularshaped epidermal cells and a thicker epidermis. Anticlinal pegs were also present to only one-third of the depth of the epidermal cells. The hybrid fruit surface was smoother compared to native genotypes, and it was associated with a higher level of brightness and a less weight loss. A negative correlation between firmness and PGA transcript levels was found. The chartreuse yellow genotype was the firmest, and it had the lowest levels of PGA expression. Meanwhile, the black genotype displayed the lowest weight loss and stem scar diameter. Our results suggest that several morphological features of the cuticle and epidermis have been modified through selection of the tomato fruit, altering quality parameters, such as weight loss and firmness.

Research background. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit is highly consumed worldwide and contains high levels of carotenoids and tocopherols, two powerful antioxidants. Native tomato genotypes are rarely used in large-scale commercialisation and industries but serve as a reservoir to diversify the species gene pool and can be employed to obtain functional compounds. Extraction methodologies are currently experimenting changes towards cleaner methodologies that are more efficient and environmentally friendly, including avoiding toxic or polluting solvents. Experimental approach. In this study, factorial and fractional factorial designs were used to evaluate the efficiency of digestive enzymes, sonication and green solvents to extract carotenoids and tocopherols from native tomatoes. Results and conclusions. Digestive enzymes and sonication increased the carotenoid content and the antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts when applied individually. However, when these treatments were applied together and in combination with green solvents (ethyl lactate and isopropyl acetate), the obtained extracts had the highest carotenoid and tocopherol contents as well as the maximal antioxidant activity, compared with non-combined treatments. Moreover, a correlation analysis suggested that antioxidant activity resulted from synergistic effects between several antioxidants rather than individual compounds. The tomato extracts were obtained through a relatively rapid extraction method (2 h) and maintained their functional activity. Novelty and scientific contribution. Tomato is one of the most studied fruits, and both the plant and its fruit have been the subject of numerous studies. Functional compound extraction, mainly through environmentally friendly methods, remains an attractive research field for the utilisation of native tomato fruit, enhancing its limited production and use or harnessing the large amount of industrial waste from commercial tomato processing. There are few reports where clean extraction methods are combined; even rarer are those where green solvents are also used. In this work, the combination of different clean extraction technologies improved the extraction of carotenoids and tocopherols and allowed to establish a more efficient process. We believe that these results will stimulate the use of clean technologies and make the native tomato more attractive to harvest for industrial processing or to extract carotenoids and tocopherols for supplements.