Dynamics of micronutrients of fresh and stale tomatoes ( lycopersicum esculentum ) sold within Umuahia metropolis in Nigeria as a function of handling practices

Tomatoes are soft tissue perishable fruits high susceptible to bruises during loading, transportation, unloading, and retailing which lead to their deterioration and nutrient losses. This study explored the micronutrient changes in the fresh (whole) and stale (nkuwa) tomatoes during loading, transportation, unloading, distribution and retail sales in the three major retail market outlets in Umuahia metropolis with standard methods of analyses. The results of micronutrients (pro-vitamin A, vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, sodium and iron) evaluated revealed significant (p < 0.05) decrease for the entire stale tomato samples compared to their whole counterparts. With increase in distance from the landing bay, pro-vitamin A (β carotene) (598.36–579.64 µg/100 g), B1 (0.07–0.04 mg/100 g), B2 (0.05–0.03 mg/100 g), B3 (0.97–0.87 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (20.14–19.29 mg/100 g) decreased. Also the minerals (mg/100 g), calcium (16.15–15.77), potassium (409.71–409.62), magnesium (19.45–18.73), sodium (8.77–8.74), iron (0.42–0/35) and zinc (0.33–0.29) decreased. Micronutrient losses increased with increase in handling practices from the landing bay till it gets to the end users. Long-distance tomato transportation should be on smooth roads in the night inside rigid plastic crates to reduce bruises.