Highest Lycopene Content Research Articles

Involvement of lycopene in the induction of tolerance to chilling injury in grapefruit

Grapefruit are among the more sensitive Citrus varieties likely to develop chilling injury (CI) symptoms during postharvest storage at low temperatures. Comparative observations of the incidence of CI in fruit of white Marsh (MSH) and red Star Ruby (SR) grapefruit during postharvest storage at 2°C plus 7 days at 20°C to simulate shelf-life revealed that (1) the former was consistently more sensitive to CI, developing cold damage uniformly throughout the whole rind surface, and (2) more strikingly, CI symptoms in fruit of SR grapefruit were restricted to the yellow areas of the rind and the red-colored zones were almost absent of cold damage. This tolerance to CI in red flavedo was associated with high carotenoid (×2) and lycopene (×14) contents, as compared with yellow-colored flavedo. Absence of chilling damage in red areas of SR grapefruit rind was confirmed by cellular ultrastructure observations, in which these epidermal cells were intact, with a well-defined structure and compact vacuoles filled with content. Cells of yellow-colored tissue developing CI, were collapsed, with a contracted vacuole and shrinking organelles. To explore whether the tolerance to CI in red areas of grapefruit rind was due to an elevated lycopene concentration, chemical and environmental stimulation of this carotenoid was performed in fruit of both grapefruit varieties. Application of the inhibitor of the lycopene cyclase activity, CPTA (2-(4-chlorophenylthio) triethylamine hydrochloride) induced red coloration, increased lycopene accumulation (×32) and significantly delayed development of CI symptoms in the rind the CI-sensitive MSH. Bagging of SR grapefruit enhanced a homogenous red coloration and substantially induced lycopene accumulation (×75). CI symptoms in bagged fruit were notably delayed and reduced, as compared with non-bagged yellow fruit, upon subsequent storage at 2°C for up to 58 days and 7 days at 20°C. Analysis of the expression of ethylene biosynthetic genes (ACS1, ACS2 and ACO) revealed a significant induction in chilling-damaged tissue of both varieties that was almost absent in red chilling-tolerant tissue. Similarly, accumulation of transcripts of the ethylene receptors ETR1 and ETR3 were also associated with chilling damage, but a cold factor appears to also mediate the expression of these genes. Taken together, our results indicate that high lycopene concentration appears to be responsible for the induction of tolerance to chilling in the red-colored areas of the flavedo of grapefruit during postharvest storage at low temperatures.

Genotypic Variability in Tomato for Total Carotenoids and Lycopene Content during Summer and Response to Post Harvest Temperature

Lycopene is the major carotenoid responsible for fruit colour in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). However, colour of the fruit is greatly affected by high temperature prevailing during fruit growth in the summer crop. To select a genotype suitable for summer conditions that can maintain colour better, a set of 52 tomato genotypes were evaluated for lycopene, total carotenoids and for TSS during summer in Bengaluru. Among the genotypes screened, IIHR 2892 recorded very high lycopene content (328.4mg/100g dry weight) and IIHR 2866 recorded very low lycopene content (25.2mg/100g dry weight). TSS values ranged from 2.6° Brix in cv. Vybhav to 7.0° Brix in IIHR 2866. In addition, study was carried out to determine the effect of postharvest temperature on biosynthesis of lycopene in five selected tomato cultivars (Arka Rakshak, Arka Samrat, Arka Ananya, Lakshmi and Abhinava). Tomatoes harvested at breaker stage were stored at 27° C, 35° C and 40° C for ripening. High temperature reduced lycopene content in tomato fruits. Lycopene synthesis in fruits was completely inhibited above 35°C. In this study, mean lycopene content in tomatoes stored at 27° C was 3-4 times higher than that in tomatoes stored at 40° C. This indicates that in tomatoes, temperature at which the fruits are stored after harvest, is a more important factor for colour development.

Microencapsulation of Gac oil: Optimisation of spray drying conditions using response surface methodology

The objective of this study was to optimise the spray drying conditions for the encapsulation of Gac oil using response surface methodology. Results indicated that the corresponding response surface model was sufficient to describe and predict encapsulation efficiencies (EEs) in terms of the oil, β-carotene, lycopene, encapsulation yield (EY), moisture content (MC), water solubility index (WSI) and peroxide value (PV) with R2 of 0.92, 0.91, 0.89, 0.85, 0.89, 0.98 and 0.97, respectively. Under optimal conditions (inlet and outlet temperatures of 154 and 80°C), the response variables including the EEs of the oil, β-carotene, lycopene, EY, MC, WSI and PV were predicted and validated as 87.22%, 82.76%, 84.29%, 52.78%, 4.90%, 90.29% and 4.06meq/kg, respectively. Furthermore, physicochemical, reconstitution and colour properties of the optimally encapsulated powder were also determined. It was concluded that this powder containing high content of unsaturated fatty acids, β-carotene and lycopene, and having the attractive red-yellow colour can be used as nutrient supplement and natural food colourant.

EXAMINATION OF INDUSTRIAL TOMATO CULTIVARS UNDER PROCESSING

Nowadays tomato is one of the most important vegetables in Europe and all over the world. It contains valuable nutritional compounds (antioxidant components, for instance lycopene and I²-carotene) and it has a multi-faceted application. In recent decades, scientific research has focused on the antioxidant aspects of tomato with special emphasis on its lycopene content. Many epidemiological studies confirm the correlation between tomato consumption and the lycopene concentration in the blood as well as the decreased risk of tuberculosis. In our study in co-operation with the Hungarian Tomato Processing Ltd. we evaluated the nutritional components and processing technology of 6 industrial tomato cultivars ('Guadivia', 'Pavia', 'Progress', 'UnoRosso', 'Uno', 'FalcoRosso') under industrial concentration (raw materials, after pulping, after concentration up to 28-30 ref%, after filling the cans and after heat treatment). Our aim was to determine the most suitable cultivars to produce functional foodstuff with high lycopene content. Examined components were: water soluble solids, instrumental colour (L*, a*, b*), total acidity, HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) content, ascorbic acid, lycopene and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP). Based on our results, we can draw conclusions regarding the following points: the relationships between the lycopene content of raw materials and concentrated products, their change under processing, and relationships between the lycopene and vitamin-C content, lycopene content and colour, respectively. As raw materials, the 'Pavia' and 'FalcoRosso' were the best cultivars (concerning their high lycopene and vitamin C content and antioxidant capacity), however, after processing 'UnoRosso' showed the best properties.

Nutri-Metabolomics: Subtle Serum Metabolic Differences in Healthy Subjects by NMR-Based Metabolomics after a Short-Term Nutritional Intervention with Two Tomato Sauces

Postgenomics research and development is witnessing novel intersections of omics data intensive technology and applications in health and personalized nutrition. Chief among these is the nascent field of nutri-metabolomics that harnesses metabolomics platforms to discern person-to-person variations in nutritional responses. To this end, differences in the origin and ripening stage of fruits might have a strong impact on their phytochemical composition, and consequently, on their potential nutri-metabolomics effects on health. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a 4-week cross-over nutritional intervention on the metabolic status of 24 young healthy subjects. The intervention was carried out with two tomato sauces differing in their natural lycopene content, which was achieved by using tomatoes harvested at different times. Blood samples were drawn from each subject before and after each intervention period. Aqueous and lipid extracts from serum samples were analyzed by 1H-NMR metabolic profiling combined with analysis of variance simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) and multilevel simultaneous component analysis (MSCA). These methods allowed the interpretation of the variation induced by the main factors of the study design (sauce treatment and time). The levels of creatine, creatinine, leucine, choline, methionine, and acetate in aqueous extracts were increased after the intervention with the high-lycopene content sauce, while those of ascorbic acid, lactate, pyruvate, isoleucine, alanine were increased after the normal-lycopene content sauce. In conclusion, NMR-based metabolomics of aqueous and lipid extracts allowed the detection of different metabolic changes after the nutritional intervention. This outcome might partly be due to the different ripening state of the fruits used in production of the tomato sauces. The findings presented herein collectively attest to the emergence of the field of nutri-metabolomics as a novel subspecialty of postgenomics integrative biology.

Effects of pre-treatments on the yield and carotenoid content of Gac oil using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction

The effects of air-drying temperature, particle size and enzymatic pre-treatment on the oil yield and content of carotenoids in the resultant Gac oil using supercritical CO2 extraction method were investigated. It was found that the highest oil yield was obtained when using the enzyme concentration at 0.1% (w/w) for pretreatment before air-drying. Furthermore, the content of carotenoids was also enhanced by suitable drying temperature and the particle size. High oil yield (34% g/g) and high content of β-carotene (83mg/100mL oil) and lycopene (508mg/100mL oil) were obtained using the drying temperature of 50°C and particle size of 0.45mm as pre-treatments prior to SC-CO2 extraction at pressure of 200bar and extraction temperature of 50°C. Results also indicated that the most suitable extraction time was 120min. It was concluded that Gac oil containing high amount of carotenoids could be extracted using the chosen air-drying temperature, particle size, enzymatic pre-treatment and extraction time.

Evaluation of Lycopene Loss and Colour Values in Convective Drying of Tomato by Surface Response Methodology

Abstract The increasing interest in the antioxidant activity of lycopene has been to promote the consumption of tomato and tomato-based products. The aim of this work was to evaluate tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) drying in thin layer through response surface methodology. The independent variables investigated in this study were drying air temperature (60, 70 and 80°C) and wet sample thickness (3, 5 and 7 mm). The drying condition with the lower colour value (Hue angle) and higher lycopene content was 60°C and sample thickness of 3 mm. In this condition, the responses for the colour (Hue angle) and lycopene content values were 47.7 0.2° and 301.9 3.1 μg g– 1, respectively. The lycopene loss was similar to that reported in the literature (30–50%) using more expensive methods of tomato drying such as freeze-drying and lyophilization.

Effect of Applied Magnesium on Yield and Quality of Tomato in Alfisols of Karnataka

Field experiments were conducted for two years on Alfisols to assess the effect of applied magnesium on fruit yield and quality parameters in tomato. Magnesium was applied at four levels ranging from 0 to 100 kg/ha in the form of MgSO4. Applied Mg significantly enhanced fruit yield up to 50kg /ha during the two years of experimentation. Tomato quality parameters viz., total titrable acidity, content of lycopene, total carotenoids and ascorbic acid differed significantly among treatments. Applied Mg significantly improved quality. Highest lycopene content, carotenoids and ascorbic acid in the fruit was recorded in Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) + MgSO4 @ 50Kg/ha followed by RDF + MgSO4 @ 75 kg/ha. Lowest values for the above parameters were observed in the treatment receiving RDF alone in both the years.

Comparative Analysis of Fruit Transcriptome in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Genotypes with Contrasting Lycopene Contents

Carotenoid metabolism is regulated by several genes encoding carotenoid biosynthetic pathway enzymes. In the present study, a fruit transcriptome in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was compared between high lycopene accumulating genotype EC-521086 and low lycopene accumulating genotype VRT-32-1 at three different stages (green, breaker and red) of fruit ripening. This analysis led to the identification of 2,558 differentially expressed genes at three stages of fruit ripening. Among these genes, 123 were carotenoid-correlated genes. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed high expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in lycopene biosynthesis like IPP isomerase, phytoene synthase, phytoene desaturase, z-carotene desaturase; and comparatively lower expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in lycopene catabolism like lycopene cyclase, carotenoid e-ring hydroxylase, zeaxanthin epoxidase, violaxanthin de-epoxidase and neoxanthin synthase in EC-521086, thereby possibly explaining the high lycopene content in EC-521086 as compared with the low lycopene genotype VRT-32-1. Further, the EC-521086 genotype exhibited high expression of the TOMATO AGAMOUS-LIKE 1 (TAGL1) MADS box gene—a positive regulator of lycopene accumulation—at breaker stage, and low expression of the ethylene receptor LeETR4 gene—a negative regulator of trans-lycopene and β-carotene accumulation, at the red stage of fruit ripening. Our results clearly demonstrate the role of specific genes in accumulation of high lycopene in the EC-521086 tomato genotype during the fruit ripening processes.

Real-Time Monitoring of Lycopene Content in Tomato-Derived Products during Processing: Implementation of a Novel Double-Slit Raman Spectrometer

Lycopene is a very attractive antioxidant associated with cancer prevention in humans. Therefore, it is important to develop new analytical methods that allow for differentiation of food production streams that contain various antioxidant concentrations. The lycopene content in tomato juice, an intermediate between raw tomatoes and the final tomato paste product, was monitored on-line for 46 days at a production plant with a novel, patented double-channel Raman setup. The setup comprises a double-channel mini spectrometer placed in a fixed optical setup, and for each measurement there are two slightly shifted Raman spectra on the x-axis that opens up for additional data processing. The prototype was constructed specifically for 532 nm excitation with no moving parts, and it was designed to optimize each part for the rest of the system. That was the first step toward an integrated optical in-line process analytical solution for industry. As proof of concept, the developed prototype was able to perform a real-time differentiation of the normal and medium to high lycopene content in tomato juice. A correlation factor for double-channel measurements was compared with a correlation factor for background-corrected single-channel measurements by correlating with high performance liquid chromatography reference measurements (1-20 mg of lycopene per 100 g of wet sample). The latter gave a slightly better correlation for the specific application (R(2) = 0.76), acceptable for proof of concept. Real-time information is extremely valuable for the tomato processing plant, mainly because it can be used for improved differentiation of high lycopene content tomato paste to ensure a higher product price. In addition, the developed process analytical technology solution allows for differentiated payment of the tomato farmers based on the lycopene content in their crops.

Carotenoids and Their Geometry Isomers in Selected Tropical Fruits

This study determined the carotenoids content in cherry tomato, pink guava, and red grapefruit pulps and juices. Cherry tomato pulp exhibited the highest β-carotene content whereas pink guava pulp had the highest lycopene content. However, β-carotene and lycopene contents in the studied fruit juices were lower than their pulps in the same sample portion. Interestingly, six to twelve cis-isomers of carotenoids were identified in the fruit pulps and juices studied. A higher number of trace amounts of cis-carotenoids was found in fruit pulps as compared to juices. Therefore, consumption of whole fruit is recommended as the studied fruit juices have lower carotenoids content.

Native carotenoids composition of some tropical fruits

Many tropical fruits can be considered a reservoir of bioactive substances with a special interest due to their possible health-promoting properties. The interest in carotenoids from a nutritional standpoint has recently greatly increased, because of their important health benefits. Here we report the native carotenoids composition in six tropical fruits from Panama, which is considered a region of great biodiversity. The native carotenoid composition was directly investigated by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology, for the first time. In Corozo 32 different carotenoids were detected, including a high content of β-carotene and lycopene. Sastra showed the highest content of zeaxanthin among the fruit investigated. In Sapote 22 different carotenoids were detected, including β-carotene and 10 different zeaxanthin-di-esters. Frutita showed a very high content of the apo-carotenoid β-citraurin, and of a number of its esters. In Maracuyà chino 14 carotenoids were detected, including a high amounts of mono-esterified lauric acid with β-cryptoxanthin and with cryptocapsin. Mamey rojo was characterised by ketocarotenoids with κ rings, both hydroxylated and not hydroxylated.

Lycopene content, antioxidant capacity and colour attributes of selected watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansfeld) cultivars grown in India

The present investigation reports variability in lycopene, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, antioxidant capacity and colour attributes of 12 watermelon cultivars grown in India. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using four in vitro assays, namely ferric reducing antioxidant power, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl. Among watermelon cultivars, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found with respect to lycopene content and antioxidant capacity. Lycopene content ranged from 03.46 to 8.00 mg/100 g fresh weight. Colour of watermelon flesh was described by an optimized colour index (CI). Cultivars ‘PWM25-4’, ‘Arun’, ‘Kiran’ and ‘Kareena’ were found to be the most promising ones with highest lycopene content, antioxidant capacity and CI. Results indicate that watermelon is a good source of dietary lycopene and there exists significant variation that can be exploited to produce high-quality cultivars.

POSTHARVEST CHANGE IN COMPOSITIONAL, VISUAL AND TEXTURAL QUALITY OF GRAFTED WATERMELON CULTIVARS

ISHS XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Postharvest Technology in the Global Market POSTHARVEST CHANGE IN COMPOSITIONAL, VISUAL AND TEXTURAL QUALITY OF GRAFTED WATERMELON CULTIVARS

Efecto de la ingesta de zumo de tomate en el contenido de licopeno y ácidos grasos de cadena corta en heces de ratas Sprague Dawley

A wide range of bioactive components are provided to the diet by vegetables intake, which can be absorbed by the intestinal cells during digestion process. Furthermore, some of these components are susceptible to be used as fermentative substrate by intestinal microbiota as well as playing a protective role on colon cells when maintain their original structure. The aim of this research was to evaluate the content of lycopene and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in faeces of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Twenty four 12 weeks old male SD rats, were selected and classified in three different groups (Control, Group A and Group B). The animals were introduced in metabolic cages and fed during a period of 21 days using a standard diet. Control Group was given ad libitum access to food and water, whereas Group B and Group A were given tomato juice with high (12 mg/100 g) and low (2.7 mg/100 g) lycopene content, respectively. Urine and faeces were picked up everyday. Both, faeces samples at the beginning and at the end of the research period were selected, analyzing lycopene content by colorimetric method and SCFA by gas-liquid chromatography. The results showed that tomato juice intake produces an increase in the amount of lycopene in faeces. This increment was directly proportional to the lycopene content in different juices. The presence of lycopene in faeces suggests that not all the lycopene ingested was absorbed. A change in the SCFA profile in faeces has been observed from the beginning to the end of the study. In this way, an increase in butyric acid level was detected in those rats which took tomato juice. This finding could be a consequence of the modification of substrates by fermentation. The antioxidant effect of lycopene through the large intestine until its excretion and the formation of butyric acid, could be able to make a positive effect on colon cells and, eventually, prevent carcinogenic processes.

Identification of novel quantitative trait loci for increased lycopene content and other fruit quality traits in a tomato recombinant inbred line population

Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate that a steady dietary intake of bioavailable lycopene, a C40 carotenoid and potent natural antioxidant, may be associated with a decreased incidence of prostate cancer in humans. Since fresh tomatoes and processed tomato products represent approximately 85% of the average human’s dietary lycopene intake, the identification of novel genetic factors which regulate high fruit lycopene content in tomato is imperative for the improvement of nutritional quality in this commercially valuable specialty crop. To understand the genetic control of the extraordinarily high fruit lycopene content in an accession (LA2093) of the tomato wild species Solanum pimpinellifolium, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping study was conducted using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of a cross between LA2093 and a cultivated tomato (S. lycopersicum) breeding line, NCEBR-1. The parental lines, F1 progeny, and F7-F10 RIL populations were grown in replicated field trials in four successive years and evaluated for lycopene content as well as several other traits, including fruit fresh weight, soluble solids content, pH of puree, and plant maturity. The lycopene content of ripe fruit was estimated using three methods: high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), spectrophotometry, and colorimetric assays. Based on these measurements, QTL were identified and compared across generations. Among the QTL identified for lycopene, two QTL, located on chromosomes 7 and 12, had very large effects and were consistent across generations. The genomic intervals in which these two QTL reside do not correspond to known map positions of carotenoid biosynthetic genes, indicating that these QTL may represent novel alleles with potentially important implications for tomato breeding as well as increased understanding of carotenoid accumulation in tomato. Several QTL were also identified for fruit weight, soluble solids content and plant maturity. The potential implications of these results for tomato crop improvement are discussed.

Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant capacity of pitanga fruits (Eugenia uniflora L.)

This study was carried out to obtain more information about the physicochemical properties, composition, and antioxidant activity of pitanga fruits (Eugenia uniflora L.), particularly fruits from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Pitanga with different flesh colors (purple, red, and orange) from tree selections cultivated at Embrapa Clima Temperado (RS-Brazil) were analyzed. Only slight differences were observed in the quality parameters and in the proximate and fatty acid compositions among the fruits studied. The extracts from purple-fleshed pitanga had the highest total phenolic and anthocyanin contents along with the highest antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP assays) of methanolic pitanga extracts was highly correlated with the total phenolic content, but in ethanolic extracts, the anthocyanin content was correlated only with the FRAP antioxidant capacity. Orange fleshed pitanga had higher β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene levels than those of the red fruit, which had higher lycopene content. The results indicate that the purple-fleshed pitanga, cultivated in Rio Grande do Sul, is a rich source of phenolic compounds and has high antioxidant capacity. The red and orange-fleshed pitanga, on the other hand, are rich sources of carotenoids.

Chemotype and genotype combined analysis applied to tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) analytical traceability

A large number of fresh fruits and vegetables are primary sources of antioxidants; tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is accepted worldwide as a significant source of antioxidant functional compounds (vitamin C, lycopene, rutin). Many cultivars and hybrids of tomato, having different chemical and nutritional characteristics, are available on the market. Tomato cultivars for industrial processing are very different, not only in fruit characteristics (size, shape), but also in lycopene and antioxidant contents. The aim of this study was the chemotyping and genotyping of the tomato varieties Heinz 3402, Leader and Perfectpeel, (1) to evaluate the genetic traceability of these varieties, and (2) to determine whether their functional antioxidants compounds are useful markers of traceability. Principal component analysis (PCA) was first applied to the Random Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints, confirming that this approach is a powerful identification method at intra-specific level. Heinz 3402 showed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by Perfectpeel and Leader varieties. Perfectpeel showed the lower lycopene content, while Leader and Heinz 3402 showed significantly higher values (13.68 and 15.78 mg/100 g, fresh weight, respectively). The highest rutin content was observed in Heinz 3402 (12.46 ± 0.69, mg/100 g, fresh weight), followed by Leader (7.87 ± 0.72) and Perfectpeel (2.70 ± 0.68). Antioxidant capacity was significantly correlated with the lycopene and rutin content. Finally, PCA was applied to chemotype data-sets, confirming both mineral content and functional antioxidant compounds as useful markers to unambiguously identify these high-lycopene content varieties.

Postharvest UV-B irradiation maintains sensory qualities and enhances antioxidant capacity in tomato fruit during storage

Mature-green tomato fruit ( Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Zhenfen 202) were exposed to different doses of UV-B irradiation (10, 20, 40 and 80 kJ/m 2) and stored in the dark at 14 °C, 95% RH for up to 37 d. Of the four doses, 20 or 40 kJ/m 2 was most effective in maintaining a high level of firmness and delaying the colour development. Furthermore, 20 or 40 kJ/m 2 promoted the accumulation of total phenolics and total flavonoids, and enhanced antioxidant capacity during storage, though UV-B irradiation could reduce the ascorbic acid content. A dose of 10 kJ/m 2 had similar effects but to a lesser extent. The highest dose of 80 kJ/m 2 resulted in higher lycopene content, but showed negative effects on texture, colour, and other antioxidants. The optimum dose of UV-B for maintaining sensory qualities and enhancing antioxidant capacity was 20 or 40 kJ/m 2. These results suggest that UV-B irradiation appears to be a useful non-chemical way of maintaining postharvest quality and enhancing antioxidant capacity in tomato fruit.

CULTIVAR VARIABILITY IN THE RESPONSE OF TOMATO FRUIT LYCOPENE SYNTHESIS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL TO A BRIEF POSTHARVEST HEAT STRESS

The overall objective of this project is to utilize directed postharvest stress and optimization of the postharvest environment to maximize the genetic potential of the tomato fruit to produce more nutritionally important secondary compounds while maintaining or improving its appealing flavor and aroma characteristics. We hypothesized that brief, directed applications of non-injurious heat stress followed by maintenance of conducive handling temperatures can be used to redirect the secondary metabolism of tomatoes to stimulate tissue antioxidant and aroma volatile systems during ripening. Mature green fruit of seven different tomato cultivars, including one containing the crimson gene for high lycopene content, were exposed to 25, 52 or 54°C water for 2.5 or 5 minutes, then exposed to 100 ppm ethylene in air for 2 days at 20°C followed by ripening in air at 20°C. Lycopene content and antioxidant capacity at the full red ripeness stage were increased by 10 to 50% in fruit exposed to 52 or 54°C water compared to the 20°C water control treatment and varied by circa 50% among the different cultivars as well as between spring and fall seasons.