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Lycopene, a carotenoid and potent antioxidant is found in large quantities in tomatoes. Lycopene combats diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and different types of cancer, including prostate cancer. However, its topical use in emulsion form for the combat of skin aging is under-explored. The aim of the present study was to develop an emulsion containing lycopene extracted from salad tomatoes and evaluate its cytotoxicity, stability, rheological behavior, antioxidant activity and phytocosmetic permeation. The developed cosmetic comprised an oil phase made up of shea derivatives and was evaluated in terms of its physiochemical stability, spreadability, thermal analysis, rheological behavior, microbiological quality, cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity, cutaneous permeation and retention. The results demonstrate that this phytocosmetic is stable, exhibits satisfactory rheological behavior for a topical formula and is a promising product for combating skin aging. Licopeno é um carotenóide com potente atividade antioxidante encontrado em grande quantidade no tomate e usado no combate a diversas doenças como doenças cardiovasculares e diferentes tipos de cânceres, incluindo o câncer de próstata. O objetivo desse trabalho foi desenvolver uma emulsão contendo extrato de licopeno obtido do tomate salada e avaliar a citotoxicidade do extrato, a estabilidade, o comportamento reológico, atividade antioxidante e permeação do fitocosmético. O cosmético foi desenvolvido utilizando fase oleosa contendo derivados de Karité e submetido à avaliação da estabilidade físico-química, espalhabilidade, análise térmica, comportamento reológico, qualidade microbiológica, citotoxicidade, atividade antioxidante e testes de permeação e retenção cutânea. Os resultados demonstraram que o fitocosmético é estável, apresenta comportamento reológico desejável para uma formulação tópica e é um produto promissor para ser utilizado no combate à aceleração do envelhecimento cutâneo.

This research was conducted to identify the optimum harvest maturity stage/s that yielded the highest nutritional quality and longest marketable shelf-life. \"TY Megaton\" and \"Yureka\" cultivars were harvested at the breaker, pink, and red stages and stored up to 20 days at 12°C with 85 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). Quality attributes, the contents of important secondary metabolites, and antioxidant activity were assessed during the storage period. Storing and marketing of tomato fruits up to 3 weeks could be possible. However, a gradually decreasing trend of ascorbic acid and total phenolic content was observed as the maturity stage and storage period proceeded, irrespective of the cultivar. Results of lycopene content and antioxidant activity suggest that better nutritional benefit from the breaker and pink stages could be obtained after 16 and 12 days of storage, respectively, and from the beginning to eighth day of storage for the red stage.

Cells undergo autophagy to save themselves from injury, but progressive autophagy can cause cell death. This study characterized and compared the effect of grape (resveratrol) and tomato (lycopene) extracts and their combination on modulating autophagy-related miRNA and its target gene in squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Docking analysis for extracts and selected genes was performed. Methyl Thiazol Tetrazolium assays were used to assess the cytotoxicity of extracts and their combination toward HEp-2 cells. qRT-PCR was used to quantify changes in gene expression. Data were statistically analyzed. miRNA-20a was identified as a potential effector in laryngeal cancer, and sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1) was its target gene. Docking analysis showed that resveratrol interacted with miRNA-20a and showed less affinity toward SQSTM1. Hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions were predicted. In contrast, lycopene showed less affinity toward miRNA-20a than resveratrol. Increasing doses of resveratrol, lycopene, and their combination induced a statistically significant reduction in mean percent viability and mean fold changes of miRNA-20a and SQSTM1 expression in treated HEp-2 cells. Pearson’s correlation showed a statistically significant positive correlation between miRNA-20a and SQSTM1 (R=0.812, p≤0.001). Grape and tomato extracts and their combination display promising cytotoxicity against HEp-2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Both extracts reduce the expression of miRNA-20a and SQSTM1 with subsequent inhibition autophagy and promotion of apoptosis in HEp-2 cells.  

The aim of this study was to compare the physicochemical characteristics of papaya fruits from Costa Rica (Carica papaya L. cv Pococí) and vacuum-fried chips obtained from these fruits at three different postharvest ripening stages (RS3, RS4, and RS5) and select the optimal stage for vacuum frying. In addition, response surface methodology was used to optimize vacuum frying conditions (temperature and time) to obtain papaya chips with desirable characteristics. RS4 was found the most adequate ripening stage for processing papaya fruits to obtain vacuum-fried chips with suitable physicochemical characteristics and good sensory acceptance. The optimal vacuum frying conditions at 25 kPa were: 120 °C and 13.1 min. Vacuum frying caused 40 and 60% degradation of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin, respectively, and a 1.5-fold increase in the extractability of lycopene. The total carotenoid content of the vacuum-fried papaya chips was 381 mg/kg chips fresh weight.

Cleft grafting methods were applied in order to evaluate the effect of grafting on tomato fruit yield and quality. The tomato cultivars used as scions were Yeni Talya, Swanson and Beri. The cultivars Beaufort and Arnold were used as rootstocks. The following characteristics of grafted and nongrafted plants were recorded: fruit index, number of fruits/truss, fruit weight, fruit yield, dry matter, pH, concentration of soluble solids, titratable acidity, concentrations of total sugar, lycopene and vitamin C. The results showed that fruit yield and fruit index, number of fruits/truss and fruit weights were improved by grafting. Fruit quality, measured in terms of concentrations of dry matter, soluble solids, total sugar, and vitamin C, was lower in grafted plants than in nongrafted ones. No significant difference in lycopene level and pH was found. Titratable acidity was improved by grafting. A positive effect of grafting was recorded when Beaufort was used as rootstock. These results showed that grafting could be an advantageous alternative in tomato production.

A diet rich in carotenoid-containing foods is associated with a number of health benefits. Lycopene provides the familiar red color to tomato products and is one of the major carotenoids in the diet of North Americans and Europeans. Interest in lycopene is growing rapidly following the recent publication of epidemiologic studies implicating lycopene in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancers of the prostate or gastrointestinal tract. Lycopene has unique structural and chemical features that may contribute to specific biological properties. Data concerning lycopene bioavailability, tissue distribution, metabolism, excretion, and biological actions in experimental animals and humans are beginning to accumulate although much additional research is necessary. This review will summarize our knowledge in these areas as well as the associations between lycopene consumption and human health

A greenhouse test was carried out to examine the effects on tomato growth of application of purple non-sulfur bacterium Rhodopseudomonas sp. which had enhanced germination and growth of tomato seed under axenic conditions. The shoot length of tomato plant inoculated by Rhodopseudomonas sp. KL9 increased by 34.6% compared to that of control in 8 weeks of cultivation. During the same period, this strain increased 120.6 and 78.6% of dry weight of shoot and root of tomato plants, respectively. The formation ratio of tomato fruit from flower was also raised by inoculation of KL9. In addition, Rhodopseudomonas sp. KL9 treatment enhanced the fresh weight and lycopene content in the harvested tomato fruits by 98.3 and 48.3%, respectively compared to those of the uninoculated control. When the effect on the indigenous bacterial community and fate of the inoculated Rhodopseudomonas sp. KL9 were monitored by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis, its application did not affect the native bacterial community in tomato rhizosphere soil, but should be repeated to maintain its population size. This bacterial capability may be applied as an environment-friendly biofertilizer to cultivation of high quality tomato and other crops including lycopene-containing vegetables and fruits.

The greatest genetic diversity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in terms of fruit quality characteristics such as flavor, aroma, color, and lycopene and β-carotene contents is found in wild species. This study evaluated the agronomic characteristics and fruit quality of 30 cherry tomato introductions of the germplasm bank of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Palmira in trials conducted at the Montelindo experimental farm of the Universidad de Caldas (1010 m above sea level, average temperature 22.8 °C, average annual rainfall 2200 mm, 76% relative humidity). A 5 x 6 rectangular lattice experimental design was used with 30 treatments (introductions) and a commercial control (Sweet Million), 4 replicates/treatment, and 5 plants/replicate as experimental unit. The descriptors used were those suggested by the former International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, now Bioversity International. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan's means test using the SAS program. In addition, principal component and cluster dendrogram analyses using the SAS Princom and Cluster procedure (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) were performed. Six principal components accounted for 80.39% of the morphological variability of the introductions evaluated. The most promising materials in terms of average fruit weight, yield per plant and per hectare, and soluble solids, vitamin C and lycopene contents were IAC1624, IAC391, IAC3652, LA2131, IAC424, IAC1621, IAC426, LA1480 and IAC1688. The broad phenotypic variability observed in the evaluated introductions favors the potential selection and breeding of tomato for traits associated with fruit production and quality. / La mayor diversidad genética del tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.) en términos de características de calidad del fruto como sabor, aroma, coloración y contenidos de licopeno y β-caroteno se encuentra en especies silvestres. Este estudio evaluó las características agronómicas y de calidad del fruto de 30 introducciones de tomate cereza provenientes del banco de germoplasma de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia -Sede Palmira en ensayos realizados en la granja Montelindo de la Universidad de Caldas (1010 m sobre el nivel del mar; temperatura media, 22,8°C; precipitación promedio anual, 2200 mm; humedad relativa, 76%). Se usó un diseño experimental de látice rectangular 5 x 6, con 30 tratamientos (introducciones) y un testigo comercial (Sweet Million), 4 repeticiones/tratamiento y 5 plantas/repetición como unidad experimental. Se utilizaron descriptores sugeridos por el antiguo Instituto Internacional de Recursos Fitogenéticos, ahora Bioversity International. Los datos fueron analizados estadísticamente utilizando análisis de varianza y la prueba de promedios de Duncan a través del programa SAS. Adicionalmente se realizaron análisis de componentes principales y agrupamiento por dendrograma por medio del procedimiento Princom y Cluster de SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Seis componentes principales explicaron el 80,39% de la variabilidad morfológica de las introducciones evaluadas. Los materiales más promisorios en términos de peso promedio de fruto, producción por planta, rendimiento y contenidos de sólidos solubles, vitamina C y licopeno fueron IAC1624, IAC391, IAC3652, LA2131, IAC424, IAC1621, IAC426, LA1480 y IAC1688. La amplia variabilidad fenotípica de las introducciones evaluadas favorece la posibilidad de selección y mejoramiento genético en tomate por caracteres asociados a la producción y calidad del fruto.

El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar asociación entre riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) y consumo de licopeno en mujeres pre y postmenopáusicas, y su correlación con valores de LDL-C, HDL-C y circunferencia de cintura (CC). Se realizó diseño transversal de comparación y correlación, a muestras independientes. Muestra de 316 mujeres (40 a 65 años) asistentes a consulta nutricional en Fundación para la Investigación de Enfermedades Endocrino Metabólicas de la Cuidad de Buenos Aires (2005-2007), randomizada según etapa biológica (35,8% premenopáusicas y 64,2% postmenopáusicas). Se midió RCV según Score de Framingham y consumo de licopeno (alimentos fuente y total de alimentos que lo contienen) por frecuencia semanal de consumo (mg/día y porciones/semana). La asociación entre variables se calculó con Test Student, Test Fisher y Coeficiente correlación Pearson (nivel significación alfa: 0,05). En ambas etapas biológicas y en cada categoría de RCV se observó relación inversa con consumo de licopeno, pero sólo en mujeres premenopáusicas con bajo RCV (Categoría III) el consumo fue significativamente mayor que en aquellas con RCV moderado (Categoría II). En las postmenopáusicas hubo correlación significativa entre valores de LDL-C y consumo de licopeno aportado por alimentos fuente. Sin embargo, en ambas etapas biológicas la correlación significativa fue entre valores de LDL-C y consumo de licopeno aportado por todos los alimentos que lo contienen. No se halló correlación significativa entre consumo de licopeno, valores de HDL-C y CC. Estos resultados señalan la relevancia de la prevención en el abordaje nutricional asociado a las diferentes etapas biológicas de la mujerThis work aimed at assessing association between cardiovascular risk (CVR) and lycopene intake in pre- and post-menopausal women, as well as its correlation with LDL-C and HDL-C values and waist circumference (WC). A transversal design of comparison and correlation was carried out for independent samples. A 316 women (40-65 y) sample attending nutritional consultation at a Research Foundation for Endocrino Metabollic Diseases in Buenos Aires city (2005-2007) was randomized according to biological stage (35.8% premenopausal and 64.2% postmenopausal women). CVR was obtained based on Framingham Score and lycopene intake (source food and all lycopene containing food) according to weekly consumption frequency (mg/d and weekly/servings). Association between variables was calculated with the Student Test, Fisher Test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (alpha significance level: 0.05). At both biological stages and for each CVR category, an inverse relationship was observed with lycopene intake, but only in pre-menopausal women with low CVR (Category III), lycopene intake was significantly greater than in those women who had moderate CVR (Category II). There was a significant correlation in postmenopausal women between LDL-C values and lycopene intake supplied by source food. However, in both biological stages a significant correlation was found between LDL-C values and all lycopene containing food consumption. No significant correlation was found between lycopene intake, HDL-C values and WC. These findings point out the relevances of a preventive nutritional approach at woman’s different biological stages

In the present investigation we ascertained the stability of lycopene, ß-carotene, ascorbic acid, polyphenolic compounds and total antioxidant capacity (AC) during the process of concentrating tomatoes into two tomato pastes (10 and 15ºBrix). Thermal processing increased the content of lycopene, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and the individual phenolic compounds quercetin, rutin, chlorogenic and cafeic acids, whereas it decreased the other analysed compounds. However, lycopene in the 15ºBrix-tomato paste decreased due to the extension of thermal processing, which led to degradation. The AC of aqueous and organic extracts was measured and different AC values were observed depending on the antioxidant profile of the extract and assay used (TEAC and FRAP). AC expressed in dry matter decreased as result of ascorbic acid losses. Overall, thermal processing enhanced the nutritional value of tomatoes, mainly by increasing the lycopene and phenolic antioxidants, but the extension of treatment must be controlled to prevent lycopene degradation.En el presente trabajo hemos estudiado la estabilidad del licopeno, ß-caroteno, ácido ascórbico, compuestos fenólicos y capacidad antioxidante total (AC) durante el procesado de concentración del tomate en dos pastas de tomate (10 y 15ºBrix). El tratamiento térmico incrementó el contenido de licopeno, compuestos fenólicos totales, flavonoides totales y el contenido de quercetina, rutina y ácido clorogénico y cafeíco, disminuyendo el contenido de los otros compuestos analizados. Sin embargo, el contenido de licopeno en la pasta de tomate de 15ºBrix disminuyó debido al tratamiento térmico como consecuencia de la degradación térmica. La AC de los extractos acuosos y orgánicos de las muestras proporcionaron diferentes resultados dependiendo del perfil de antioxidante extraído y del método de análisis utilizado (TEAC y FRAP). La AC expresada en material seca disminuyó como resultado de las pérdidas de ácido ascórbico. En general el procesado térmico incrementa el valor nutricional del tomate , debido principalmente al incrmento de licopeno y compuestos fenólicos, pero la extensión del tratamiento en tiempo y temperatura debe ser controlado para prevenir la degradación del licopeno.