Determination of nutritional values and postharvest performance in different types of tomatoes stored under shelf-life conditions

Abstract

In this study, beefsteak (cv. ‘Tybif’), heirloom (cv. ‘Yuksel Koy’) and cluster types (cv. ‘Merkur’) of tomato were harvested at breaker stage of maturity and stored at 20ºC temperature and 60±5% relative humidity for comparing their ethylene production, respiration rate, postharvest performance and nutritional characteristics. Analysis for weight loss, antioxidant activity, carotenoid, flavonoid, total phenolics, ascorbic acid contents, ethylene production, respiration rates and amount of unmarketable fruits were determined during 21 days of storage. Weight loss, ethylene production, respiration rate, carotenoid content and amount of unmarketable fruits exhibited increase whereas flavonoid and ascorbic acid content showed decrease with extending storage duration. Maximum antioxidant activity, carotenoid, total phenolics and ascorbic acid contents and minimum weight loss, ethylene production and respiration rate were noted in beefsteak type of tomatoes. Based on results obtained it can be concluded that beefsteak type of tomatoes can be successfully stored with maximal nutritional quality for 21 days of storage as compared to heirloom and cluster types of tomatoes.