Comparison of tomato varieties.
IPB scientists, together with researchers from China and Egypt, have now once again proven that tomatoes are very healthy. In their study in Food Chemistry, the team examined the primary and secondary metabolite profiles of seven different tomato varieties. Using mass spectrometry methods, they detected and analyzed over 200 metabolites in these varieties, including 30 unknown substances. The results revealed that the valuable antioxidants of flavonoids were enriched in light-colored tomato varieties such as Golden Sweet, Sun Gold and Yellow Plum, while Cherry Bomb and Red Plum contained high levels of tomatoside A, a saponin with blood sugar-lowering effects. The researchers also analyzed the sugar content of the varieties. As a result, the scientists were able to generate variety-specific metabolite spectra that can be used for future breeding programs.