Amplifying synthesis of health-promoting metabolites in tomatoes via stimulation with encapsulated biological and chemical agents in hydroponic and soil cultivation

Abstract

Tomatoes are often considered the most consumed vegetable worldwide. More importantly, they serve as a rich source of valuable compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, which play an important role in health and disease prevention. The main focus of this work was the stimulation of the synthesis of these compounds. This research examined the impact of encapsulated calcium and copper ions, with and without the biological agent Trichoderma viride, on plant metabolites synthesis of two tomato cultivars ('Clarabella' and 'Alamina') in hydroponic and soil cultivation. This included determining total carotenoids, total polyphenolic content, and total flavonoid content, as well as antioxidant activity and their correlations. The research highlighted the role of alginate-encapsulated ions and the significant enhancement of carotenoid synthesis by the presence of T. viride. Microsphere treatments increased carotenoid content by up to 100.46% and 123.83%, respectively. Furthermore, calcium-based microsphere treatments consistently improved polyphenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. The principal component analysis revealed two main components that explain 81.73% of the total variance in the data, confirming and highlighting distinct patterns. The presented results are vital to advance agricultural practices and to improve the nutritional value of tomatoes. These findings suggest that the selected treatments not only improve carotenoid synthesis but also improve the polyphenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant potential of tomatoes, contributing to both the health benefits and agricultural sustainability.