title: Seasonal variations in the level of plant constituents in greenhouse production of cherry tomatoes.
abstract: The content of selected plant constituents was measured in cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentumMill. cv. Jennita) during conventional Norwegian tomato production in a greenhouse from May until October 2004. Samples were collected according to standard production procedure with orange-yellow colored fruits at weight in the range of 12.4-19.3 g and size in the range of 28.9-33.0 mm (diameter). The content of selected compounds based on 100 g FW were found to vary in the following range during the season: 7.38-28.38 mg of chalconaringenin, 0.32-0.92 mg of rutin, 0.24-1.06 mg of chlorogenic acid, 5.60-20.02 mg of ascorbic acid, 1.60-5.54 mg of lycopene, and 0.37-0.55 mg beta-carotene. Only minute amounts of naringenin together with kaempferol 3-rutinoside and caffeic acid, which previously have been reported from tomatoes, were detected. The content of chalconaringenin to rutin and that of lycopene to beta-carotene showed a strong correlation during the season (p < 0.001). The content of total phenolics and methanol-soluble antioxidants also showed a correlation (p < 0.001), and were found in the range 14.6-32.6 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g fresh weight (FW) and 445-737 micromol of Fe(II)/100 g FW, respectively. Seasonal variation in the level of plant constituents is shown to be related to photon flux density and fertilization level.
authors.affiliation: PlantChem and Planteforsk, Saerheim Research Centre, N-4353 Klepp Station, Norway. rune@plantchem.com
authors.forename: Rune
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slimestad
authors.forename: Michèl J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Verheul
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D002599:Chalcone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D047188:Chalcones; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D000077276:Lycopene; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D009664:Norway; D012431:Rutin / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D047188:Chalcones; D019207:beta Carotene; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid; D002338:Carotenoids; D012431:Rutin; D002599:Chalcone; C027329:naringenin chalcone; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D000077276:Lycopene