Assessment of vitamin- and mineral-content stability of tomato fruits as a potential raw material to produce functional food

Background: Tomatoes are a valuable source of biologically active substances (vitamin C, lycopene, lutein, macro- and microelements) and can be used to produce functional foods.Objective: Nine varieties of tomato fruits, featuring a spectrum of colors such as red, yellow, and dark hues (brown, burgundy), were examined. These tomatoes were cultivated in open ground in both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. Methods: The mineral composition of tomato fruit samples was determined using an atomic emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma, mass fractions of vitamin C and carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.Results: The highest vitamin C content was observed in the fruits of tomato varieties Viagra and Chocolate, cultivated in the villages of Khokhol and Nikonovo in the Voronezh Region, Russia, and in the variety Budenovka, grown in Nikonovo. Additionally, the highest lycopene content was identified in the fruits of The Black Prince, cultivated in the agro-town Samokhvalovichi, Belarus; Volgogradskiy skorospelyi, grown in Nikonovo; Bull's Heart, cultivated in Khokhol in the Voronezh Region, Russia; and Black Heart of Bull, cultivated in Khokhol and Nikonovo respectively. Notably, tomatoes of the varieties The Black Prince (agro-town Samokhvalovichi, Belarus), Chocolate, Black Heart of Bull, and Bull's Heart (Khokhol, Russia) exhibited a significant amount of lutein. Furthermore, tomatoes of the variety Budenovka, grown in Khokhol, Russia, displayed high mineral saturation. Varieties Bull's Heart and Black Heart of Bull, grown in the same region, were found to be rich in macro- and trace elements (K, Ca, Mg, P, Mn, Fe). The optimal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (1:1.5) was observed in varieties Bull's Forehead, Black Heart of Bull, and Budenovka, while the optimal calcium-to-magnesium ratio (1:0.7) was present in the fruits of tomato varieties Volgogradskiy skorospelyi, Bull's Forehead, Budenovka, Black Heart of Bull, Bull's Heart, and Orange, grown in various regions of the Russian Federation. Conclusion: The inclusion of biologically active substances, notably lycopene, lutein, Vitamin C, and essential minerals (Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus), positions tomatoes as valuable sources for developing functional foods and those designed to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The composition of tomatoes varies significantly based on the fruit's color and the cultivation location. This variability underscores the importance of considering these factors to achieve the desired level of functional ingredients in the final product.Keywords: tomato fruits, biologically active substances, vitamin C, lycopene, lutein, macro- and microelements.