Micronutrient composition and quality characteristics of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) from conventional and organic production

Abstract

Three tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) varieties  (Robin-F₁, Amati-F₁ and Elpida-F₁) were grown in the greenhouse condition (Northeastern Greece) using organic and conventional cultivation methods. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there were any differences in the micronutrient contents of lycopene, carotenoids, citric acids content and mineral content (K, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) in organic and conventional tomatoes. Tomato fruit from conventional greenhouse production contained on average higher levels of total soluble solid (TSS) and lycopene, whereas tomatoes grown organically contained on average more carotenoids. We found significantly greater concentrations of P, K, Ca and Mg in organic tomatoes but in conventionally grown tomato we found greater content of Zn, Fe and Cu. This study confirms that the most important variable in the micronutrient content of tomatoes is cultivar. Elpida cultivar had the highest content of TSS (5.08 %), lycopene (3.75 mg/100g f.w.) and citric acid (0.48%) of the three different varieties grown under same conditions. Also, the taste index in organic Elpida (1.10) was much more pleasant because the ratio of total soluble solid and total acid more favourable than the tomatoes from conventional production.