Optimizing Sampling of Tomato Fruit for Carotenoid Content with Application To Assessing the Impact of Ripening Disorders

Abstract

Color defines one aspect of quality for tomato and tomato products. Carotenoid pigments are responsible for the red and orange colors of tomato fruit, and thus color is also of dietary interest. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the relative importance of field sampling and analytical replication when measuring lycopene and beta-carotene in tomato fruit and (2) to determine the effect of yellow shoulder disorder (YSD) on the content of lycopene and beta-carotene in tomato juice and tissue. Our results show that increasing biological replications is an efficient strategy for reducing the experimental error associated with measurements of lycopene and beta-carotene. Analytical replications did not contribute significantly to observed variation, and therefore experimental efficiency will be gained by reducing analytical replications while increasing field replication. We found that YSD significantly reduces lycopene in affected tissue and in juice made from affected fruit. In contrast, beta-carotene concentrations were only reduced in affected tissue but were not significantly reduced in juice. With increasing interest in biofortified crops, modulating the carotenoid profile in tomato by minimizing YSD symptoms represents a strategy for improving tomato fruit quality that is currently supported by grower contract structure and processor grades.

Theory of sampling and its application in tissue based diagnosis

“…The majority of investigations addresses to an optimum sampling procedure, for example. How many sentinel lymph nodes should be investigated in relation to the stage of breast cancer [ 29 , 31 ], or "optimizing sampling of tomato fruit for carotenoid content, or how to perform endometrial sampling in patients with trophoblastic disease after suction curettage [ 39 , 40 ]. In the early days of stereology several authors took attention on the sampling procedures, as the results of counting interceptions are closely associated to the nature of the used sampling method [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Quantitative analysis, in vitro assessment of bioavailability and antioxidant activity of food carotenoids—A review

“…Investigating the relative importance of field sampling and analytical replication on carotenoid variance in tomato fruit, Darrigues et al (2008) observed that between-plot field variation was most significant, accounting for 50% and 52% of the total variation for lycopene and b-carotene, respectively. The corresponding contributions of within-plot variation were 7% and 3%, and of uncontrolled error 43% and 45%.…”

Tomato Analyzer-color Test: A New Tool for Efficient Digital Phenotyping

“…To improve the output of high-quality product, some processors structure contracts such that growers receive premiums for fruit based on color and color uniformity. Discoloration due to YSD also reduces lycopene and beta-carotene concentrations in tissue affected by YSD (Darrigues et al, 2008). A reduction in the incidence of YSD could benefit producers, processors, and consumers.…”