Optimizing Analytical Methods to Determine Lycopene Levels in Syrian Tomatoes from Various Regions

Abstract

Background: The particular attention in recent years on high nutritional quality food is increasing because of its health benefits. Tomato, which a common fruit in different regions of Syria, is one of these foods. It contains plentiful antioxidant compounds, including lycopene. Lycopene plays a very significant role in human health and nutrition; it is considered a strong antioxidant due to its ability to trap singlet oxygen and remove the peroxyl radical. This study aims to quantify of lycopene content of fresh tomatoes in Syria and determine the best analytical method (solvent for separation by HPLC) for separation by HPLC. Methods: Tomatoes from different Syrian regions were quantitatively analyzed for the detection of lycopene, using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography through isocratic elution and UV detection. Many mobile phases were under experiments in order to maximum achievement the lycopene separation. Result: An Analytical method for determination of lycopene in Syrian tomato samples was optimized and the proper solvent for separation and determination of lycopene in Syrian tomato samples was (MeOH/propanol/THF) (15:65:20). The lycopene content in Syrian tomatoes ranged from 55.94 to 103.70 ìg/g, this disparity was attributed to many genetic and environmental factors. This study suggests that Syrian tomato is rich source of lycopene and a major provenance of this powerful antioxidant and can be considered as a possible alternative to antioxidative supplements.