Citrate levels in fresh tomato juice: a possible dietary alternative to traditional citrate supplementation in stone-forming patients.
OBJECTIVE
To detect citrate levels in fresh tomato juice, to reveal whether it can be studied for prevention of recurrent hypocitraturic nephrolithiasis.


METHODS
Juices of tomato, orange, lemon, and mandarin were extracted and blended with a hand blender, and 10 samples of 100 mL were taken from each. Citrate, oxalate, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and pH levels were examined in these. The same variables were re-evaluated after the samples were stored at +4 degrees C for 1 week.


RESULTS
In fresh tomato juice, higher citrate and magnesium levels as well as lower sodium and oxalate levels were detected as compared with the other juices. No differences were observed with regard to all variables among fresh orange, lemon, and mandarin juices. The level of citrate in the fresh tomato juice was higher at a statistically significant level than that in tomato juice that was stored for 1 week. The amount of oxalate increased in stored tomato juice.


CONCLUSIONS
Fresh tomato juice is considered a rich source of citrate. Furthermore, a high level of magnesium and a low level of sodium and oxalate content were detected in fresh tomato juice, the usability of which in recurrent hypocitraturic nephrolithiasis can be investigated in clinical studies.
Yilmaz
Erdal
E
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kirikkale, Kirikkale, Turkey. erdaly69@mynet.com
Batislam
Ertan
E
Basar
Murad
M
Tuglu
Devrim
D
Erguder
Imge
I
D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D002957:Citrus; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum; D053040:Nephrolithiasis / Q000517:prevention & control
D019343:Citric Acid