Effects of direct-electric-current on secondary plant compounds and antioxidant activity in harvested tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicon L.)

The effects of direct-electric-current (DC) on secondary plant compounds and antioxidant activity in harvested tomato fruits were investigated. A new technology was developed to supply DC to the tomatoes. Different intensities of DC (100–500mA) with varied application times (15–60min) were applied d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food chemistry 2011-05, Vol.126 (1), p.157-165
Main Authors: Dannehl, Dennis, Huyskens-keil, Susanne, Eichholz, Ines, ulrichs, Christian, Schmidt, Uwe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
antioxidant activity
Biological and medical sciences
Carotenoides
direct-electric-current
Electric current
electrical treatment
food analysis
food composition
Food industries
Fruit and vegetable industries
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
harvesting
Lycopene
nutrient content
nutritive value
Phenolic compounds
postharvest treatment
secondary metabolites
Solanum lycopersicon
tomatoes
ß-carotene
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Summary:The effects of direct-electric-current (DC) on secondary plant compounds and antioxidant activity in harvested tomato fruits were investigated. A new technology was developed to supply DC to the tomatoes. Different intensities of DC (100–500mA) with varied application times (15–60min) were applied during postharvest. Almost all DC treatments significantly affected the secondary metabolism, resulting in an accumulation of carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity in tomatoes. In the present study, optimal DC treatments were found in order to obtain the highest content of all investigated secondary plant compounds. After an adaptation time (AT) of 2h, the maximum contents of lycopene (122.4%), ß-carotene (140.4%), total phenol (120.0%), and antioxidant activity (126.5%) were attained with a DC treatment of 500mA for 15min. The results changed after an adaptation time of 24h (AT 24h), where the highest contents of lycopene (128.7%), ß-carotene (129.6%), total phenol (113.6%), and antioxidant activity (120.9%) were obtained using the same DC treatment (500mA), but with an application time of 30min. Therefore, the application of DC in harvested tomato fruits may be appropriate to improve the health-promoting properties of tomatoes.
ISSN:0308-8146
1873-7072
DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.10.092