title: Effect of postharvest UV-B irradiation on nutraceutical quality and physical properties of tomato fruits.
abstract: Nutraceutical (ascorbic acid and carotenoids) and physical (colour and firmness) parameters were evaluated in two tomato genotypes (Money maker and high pigment-1) subjected to post harvest UV-B irradiation at different ripening stages (mature green and turning). UV-B treatment increased the concentration of ascorbic acid and carotenoids in Money maker flesh and peel, while high pigment-1 fruits underwent only minor changes, suggesting that hp-1 mutation decreased the fruit ability to respond to UV-B radiation. Colour parameters appeared to be more influenced by harvesting stages than UV-B with the exception of redness (a∗), which in Money maker was found to increase in both flesh and peel of irradiated fruits at turning stage, although not significantly, while control was more red than treated at mature green stage. Firmness was negatively influenced by UV-B, as tomatoes were found to soften after the treatment, although this aspect needs further studies to be clarified.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-Ambientali, Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castagna
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiavaro
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dall'asta
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galaverna
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranieri
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005838:Genotype; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids; D001205:Ascorbic Acid