Tomato Fruit Extracts Research Articles

Formulasi dan Evaluasi Lip cream Halal Menggunakan Ekstrak Tomat (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) Sebagai Pewarna Alami

Abstract— Lip cream is a semi-solid to liquid textured preparation that functions as a lip dye. Tomato plants can be used as natural dyes because they contain lycopene compounds which can give a yellow to red color. This study aims to determine whether tomato fruit extract can be formulated as a dye, determine the effect of adding tomato extract concentration and determine the halal critical point in the preparation of tomato fruit extract lip cream as a natural dye. The tomato fruit extraction method was carried out using UAE with methanol solvent. The resulting extract was then added to each formula with concentrations of F0 (0%), F1 (5%), F2 (10%) and F3 (15%). The organoleptic test results showed that all formulas had a semi-solid texture, smelled of roses and F0 was white, F1 was light orange, F2 was orange and F3 was brick red. All formulas comply with the homogeneity and pH test standards as indicated by the pH value range of 6.47 - 5.17. All formulas had good smearing power, adhesion of ?60 seconds and spreadability test values ??ranging from 5.90 to 5.63. The results of the ANOVA analysis on the pH and spreadability tests showed that the preparations had significant differences between the formulas. Evaluation of halal critical points on preparations does not have halal critical points in terms of materials and processing.

Effect of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) extract on height and number of roots in patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) subculture planlet

Extracts of plant parts have the potential as growth regulators that can be used in in vitro culture. In order to find the ideal tomato extract concentration for the growth of patchouli explan, this study examine the effect of tomato extract (Solanum lycopersicum) as natural growth regulator on the height and quantity of roots in patchouli (Pogotemon cablin Benth.) subculture. This research was conducted from March to May 2022 at the Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 6 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments consisted of P0 (MS medium 0), P1 (MS medium + 4 ml/L tomato fruit extract), P2 (MS medium + 6 ml/L tomato fruit extract), P3 (MS medium + 8 ml/L tomato fruit extract), P4 (MS medium + 10 ml/L tomato fruit extract) and P5 (MS medium + 12 ml/L tomato extract). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and continued by Duncan post-hoc test at a significant level of 95% applied to data by using SPSS version 18. The outcomes demonstrated that the injection of tomato fruit extract had a substantial impact on the roots rather than the height parameter plantlets. The control treatment (MS 0) resulted in the best average number of roots, it was suspected that the tomato fruit extract contained compounds which inhibited root growth.

Metabolic engineering of betacyanin in vegetables for anti-inflammatory therapy.

Betalains, which consist of the subgroups betaxanthins and betacyanins, are hydrophilic pigments that have classically been used for food colorants. Owing to their strong antioxidant property, their usefulness for application for therapeutic use is also expected. In addition, as betalains are mainly naturally available from plants of the order Caryophyllales, including beet (Beta vulgaris), metabolic engineering for betalain production in crops such as vegetables, fruits and cereals may provide new food resources useful for healthcare. Here we conducted metabolic engineering of betacyanins in tomato fruits and potato tubers. The transgenic tomato fruits and potato tubers with coexpression of betacyanin biosynthesis genes, CYP76AD1 from B. vulgaris, DOD (DOPA 4,5-dioxygenase) and 5GT (cyclo-DOPA 5-O-glucosyltransferase) from Mirabilis jalapa, under control of suitable specific promoters, possessed dark red tissues with enriched accumulation of betacyanins (betanin and isobetanin). The anti-inflammatory activity of transgenic tomato fruit extract was superior to that of wild-type fruit extract on macrophage RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a result of decreased LPS-stimulated transcript levels of proinflammatory genes. These findings were in accord with the observation that administration of the transgenic tomato fruits ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis as well as body weight loss and disease activity index in mice, via suppression of DSS-stimulated transcript levels of pro-inflammatory genes, including Tnf (encoding TNF-alpha), Il6, and Ptgs2 (encoding cyclooxygenae 2). Intriguingly, given the fact that the transgenic potato tuber extract failed to enrich the anti-inflammatory activity of macrophage cells, it is likely that metabolic engineering of betacyanins will be a powerful way of increasing the anti-inflammatory property of ordinary foods such as tomato.

Test Of the Effectiveness of Tomato (Lycopersicum Esculentum Mill) Fruit Extract Cream on Increasing Elasticity, Sebum and Hydration in White Mouse Skin (Mus Musculus)

The skin is the outermost organ that acts as a protector from the external environment both in the ligaments, muscles, and internal organs from exposure to direct sunlight (ultraviolet light) and dehydration, also functions as a sense of taste and touch as well as a defense against pressure and infection. The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants is influenced by external factors and internal factors that will affect wrinkling and aging of the skin. Tomatoes contain substances such as citrulline, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin C, and protein, beta-carotene, lycopene, and water. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of tomato fruit ethanol extract to increase elasticity, sebum and hydration in the skin of male white mice. Cream preparations of tomato fruit ethanol extract were formulated with concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10%. The test was carried out on the skin of male mice for 4 weeks by measuring the levels of elasticity, sebum and hydration. The results of phytochemical screening of extracts contained flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids, and glycosides. The measurement results in the fourth week of each group of cream preparations showed an increase in the levels of elasticity, sebum and hydration and was significantly different from the blank group (p<0.05) and the highest increase occurred in cream with 10% tomato extract concentration. The results of this study indicate that the preparation of tomato fruit ethanol extract cream can increase the elasticity, sebum and hydration levels of the skin.

PENGARUH PRIMING DENGAN EKSTRAK TOMAT DAN LAMA PERENDAMAN DENGAN Pseudomonas fluorescens TERHADAP VIABILITAS BENIH TERUNG BORNEO Lu (Solanum melongena L.)

The objectives of this study were : To determine the effect of interaction between tomato fruit extract concentration and seeds soaking time with Pseudomonas fluorescens on the viability of eggplant seeds; To determine the effect of each tomato extract concentration and seeds soaking time with Pseudomonas fluorescens on the viability of eggplant seeds; To determine the best combination of tomato fruit extract concentration and seeds soaking time with Pseudomonas fluorescens on the viability of eggplant seeds. This study used a Factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with separate control. The first factor was the concentration of tomato extract (K) and the second factor was soaking time with Pseudomonas fluorescens suspension. Consisting of four levels of tomato extract concentration, three levels of soaking time with of Pseudomonas fluorescens suspension, and one control treatment ((4x3)+1) with three replications each, so that 39 experimental units were obtained. The variables that were observed included seed germination, simultaneous growth, seed growth rate, root length, plumula length, and normal germination dry weight. The results showed that the treatment and control had a very significant effect on the variables of seeds germination and seeds growth rate. The interaction between tomato fruit extract concentration and soaking time with Pseudomonas fluorescens suspension was found in the variable of eggplant seeds germination. The single factor of soaking time with of Pseudomonas fluorescens suspension was found to have an effect on variable seeds growth rate. The best combination on viability of seeds was found in the treatment with 5% tomato extract concentration and the duration of soaking the seeds in Pseudomonas fluorescens suspention for 1 hour.

Antibacterial Activity Of Plants Extract Drug Effective Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Antibiotics Resistance To Quinolone And Cephalosporine

Antibiotics are empirically used as drugs to treat bacterial infections, but the irrational use of antibiotics causes bacterial resistance to certain antibiotic regimens, therefore solutions are needed to explore alternative drugs. This study aims to explore medicinal plants that are able to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria that are resistant to quinolones and cephalosporins. The method used is descriptive observational and antibacterial activity test of plant extracts using the well diffusion method. Three plant extracts were used, binahong extract (Andredera cordifolia), tomato fruit extract (Lycopersicon esculentum), and aloe vera extract (Aloe vera). The results showed that only tomato extract inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria with a strong category, while binahong and aloe vera extracts could not inhibit the test bacteria. It was concluded that tomato fruit extract might be an alternative as a medicinal plant because it was able to inhibit P. aeruginosa resistant to quinolones and cephalosporin antibiotics.

UJI DAYA HAMBAT FRAKSI n-HEKSAN EKSTRAK ETANOL BUAH TOMAT (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN BAKTERI Staphylococcus aureus

Tomato (Lycopersicumesculentum Mill.) Is a vegetable plant that plays an important role in meeting community nutrition. In addition, tomatoes can also be used as medicine. The chemical content of tomatoes such as alkaloids, saponins can be as antibacterial. This study was conducted to determine whether the n-hexane fraction of tomato fruit extracts could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This research was conducted experimentally, tomato fruit was extracted by maceration method using ethanol 96% solvent then fractionated by partitioning method using n-hexane solvent. The n-hexane fraction was then made in concentrations of 10%, 15% and 20% with ampisillin as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control, tested using the wells method. The results showed that the n-hexane fraction of tomato fruit extract could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria with an average diameter of inhibitory zone at a concentration of 10% at 16,0 mm, a concentration of 15% at 17,4 mm and a concentration of 20% at 17,7 mm and ampisillin positive control at 27,9 mm. From the results of the One Way Anova test obtained sig value <0.05 which means that the n-hexane fraction of tomato extract with 3 repetitions of each treatment showed that the average treatment had a significant effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
 Keywords: Tomato Fruit, n-hexane fraction, Staphylococcus aureus.

Tomato fruit extract: an environmentally benign catalytic medium for the synthesis of isoxazoles derivatives

One-pot multicomponent reaction between aromatic aldehyde, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and ethyl acetoacetate/methyl acetoacetate for the synthesis of isoxazoles derivatives by employing tomato fruit extract as a catalytic medium has been developed. Tomato fruit extract was found to be a favorable catalytic medium for the synthesis of titled compounds. Mild reaction condition, ease of separation, moderate to high yield of the product, and short reaction time makes this method more attractive over earlier reported methods for the synthesis of isoxazoles derivatives.

The effect of in vitro enzyme digestion on antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) fruit and two commercially processed tomato pastes

Tomato is a horticultural crop of interest, that is widely consumed fresh or as processed products. The present investigation was to evaluate the antioxidant indices (total phenolic content, flavonoid content, ferric reducing antioxidant power, radical scavenging activities, inhibitory action against lipid oxidation) and anti-cholinesterase action (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) of tomato fruits (ripe and unripe) and pastes (paste 2 and paste 1) after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The total phenolic content (mg/g GAE) of the In vitro digested tomato fruits and pastes showed higher values (ripe tomato: 61.08; tomato paste1: 56.02; tomato paste 2: 60.36; unripe tomato: 38.97) than the ethanolic extracts, with digested ripe tomato ranking higher. Similar results were also obtained for total flavonoid content, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and the radical scavenging activities (DPPH*, ABTS˙+, NO*, OH*), with the in vitro digested samples ranking high. The ability of the enzyme digested and ethanolic extracts of tomato fruits and pastes to inhibit iron and sodium nitroprusside induced lipid oxidation in rat’s liver and brain homogenate increased in a concentration dependent manner, with the enzyme digested tomato fruits and pastes ranking high. Similarly, the ability of the in vitro digested tomato fruit and pastes to enhance activities of the antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GSH, SOD and Catalase) and to inhibit the formation of cholinesterases ranked high. The result of this investigation showed that the studied tomato fruit and pastes possess antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities that would be bio-available after the gastrointestinal digestion and by implication could be harnessed as functional food.

Tomato endo beta-mannanase: A candidate of potential tomato allergen protein detected with human monoclonal antibody established from a patient suffered from Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from a patient allergic to Japanese cedar pollens were transformed by Epstein-Barr virus infection. Some transformed B-lymphoblastoid cells (BLCs) secreted IgM class antibodies to cedar pollen extracts and tomato fruit extracts. One stable human-mouse hybridoma clone Y-22-3-3 secreting IgM class monoclonal antibody to tomato fruit extracts was established by cell fusion of BLCs with mouse myeloma cells. Western blot analysis of tomato extracts showed Y-22-3-3 monoclonal antibody recognized a tomato protein with a molecular weight of 40 kDa. The CBB-stained 40 kDa protein from antibody-affinity chromatography was analyzed by MALDI-TOF/TOF, and identified as tomato endo-beta-mannanase, which was previously reported as one of the potential candidates for tomato allergens.

Transcript profiling indicates a widespread role for bacterial-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in malate-accumulating sink tissues.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is an important regulatory enzyme situated at a key branch point of central plant metabolism. Plant genomes encode several plant-type PEPC (PTPC) isozymes, along with a distantly related bacterial-type PEPC (BTPC). BTPC is expressed at high levels in developing castor oil seeds where it tightly interacts with co-expressed PTPC polypeptides to form unusual hetero-octameric Class-2 PEPC complexes that are desensitized to allosteric inhibition by L-malate. Analysis of RNA-Seq and microarray transcriptome datasets revealed two distinct patterns of tissue-specific BTPC expression in vascular plants. Species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, strawberry, rice, maize, and poplar mainly exhibited pollen- or floral-specific BTPC expression. By contrast, BTPC transcripts were relatively abundant in developing castor, cotton, and soybean seeds, cassava tubers, as well as immature tomato, cucumber, grape, and avocado fruit. Immunoreactive 118 kDa BTPC polypeptides were detected on immunoblots of cucumber and tomato fruit extracts. Co-immunoprecipitation established that as in castor, BTPCs physically interact with endogenous PTPCs to form Class-2 PEPC complexes in tomato and cucumber fruit. We hypothesize that Class-2 PEPCs simultaneously maintain rapid anaplerotic PEP carboxylation and respiratory CO2 refixation in diverse, biosynthetically active sinks that accumulate high malate levels.

Effect of Media Composition on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Alternaria Brassicicola and Bipolaris Sorokiniana

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of some culture media on the vegetative and reproductive growth of Alternaria brassicicola and Bipolaris sorokiniana. Twenty one (21) treatment combinations each with three replications were employed. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) was used as the basic growth medium in this study. Supplementation with different plant extracts with this medium produced differential growth and sporulation of the tested fungi. PDA media supplemented with mustard leaf extract showed significantly highest vegetative growth (7.8 cm) and PDA with the combination of mustard leaf, tomato fruit, carrot fruit and cabbage leaf extracts showed the highest sporulation (11×105 spores/ml) of A. brassicicola. In case of B. sorokiniana, the highest vegetative growth (7.4 cm) and highest sporulation (45×104 spores/ml) were obtained by the supplementation of mustard and wheat leaf extracts respectively. Plant extract supplementation proved better than PDA as growth medium of A. brassicicola and B. sorokiniana.

Dietary effects of plant extracts, based on verbascoside, lycopene and horseradish on several blood variables and plasma oxidative status in growing rabbits

Abstract Oxidative stress can cause damage to lipids, proteins and nucleic acids in several biological systems, leading to the functional and structural impairment of individual molecules that may be involved in various diseases. The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of dietary plant extract supplementation, based on Lippia citriodora , horseradish ( Raphanus sativus L.) and lycopene ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), on several blood parameters and plasma oxidative status in growing rabbits. The experiment lasted 80 days and was conducted on 160 weaned-rabbits, divided into four groups of 40 animals each, matched by age (38 ± 2 days) and body weight (1.49 ± 0.07 kg). The control group (CON) received a weaning-fattening feed without any feed additives, while of the other three experimental groups, the first group received a supplement of plant extract based on Lippia citriodora , containing 5 mg of verbascoside/kg feed (VB group), the second group received 5 mg of lycopene/kg feed, tomato fruit extract (LIC group), and the third received 350 mg of Raphanus sativus root extract/kg feed (RAF group). The feed additives, based on verbascoside ( Lippia citriodora ), horseradish ( Raphanus sativus L.) and lycopene ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) resulted in a marked decrease in blood content of low density lipoprotein cholesterol and bilirubin. In addition, only when verbascoside was supplemented, were improvements in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and AST enzyme levels observed. Plasma oxidative markers significantly improved for all three extract groups. There was a significant reduction in ROMs and TBARS values, as well as an increase in the content of retinol and alfa-tocopherol, confirming the strong antioxidant ability of the plant extracts used. A dietary supplementation with phyto-extracts, based on Lippia citriodora , horseradish and lycopene can thus be effectively used in rabbit feeding due to the positive effects observed on the blood parameters and plasma oxidative status, with possible beneficial effects on the welfare of livestock animals.

Polyphenolic extract of InsP 5-ptase expressing tomato plants reduce the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

In recent years, by extensive achievements in understanding the mechanisms and the pathways affected by cancer, the focus of cancer research is shifting from developing new chemotherapy methods to using natural compounds with therapeutic properties to reduce the adverse effects of synthetic drugs on human health. We used fruit extracts from previously generated human type I InsP 5-ptase gene expressing transgenic tomato plants for assessment of the anti-cancer activity of established genetically modified tomato lines. Cellular assays (MTT, Fluorescent microscopy, Flow Cytometry analysis) were used to confirm that InsP 5-ptase fruit extract was more effective for reducing the proliferation of breast cancer cells compared to wild-type tomato fruit extract. Metabolome analysis of InsP 5-ptase expressing tomato fruits performed by LC-MS identified tomato metabolites that may play a key role in the increased anti-cancer activity observed for the transgenic fruits. Total transcriptome analysis of cancer cells (MCF-7 line) exposed to an extract of transgenic fruits revealed a number of differently regulated genes in the cells treated with transgenic extract compared to untreated cells or cells treated with wild-type tomato extract. Together, this data demonstrate the potential role of the plant derived metabolites in suppressing cell viability of cancer cells and further prove the potential application of plant genetic engineering in the cancer research and drug discovery.

Formulation of tomato extracts (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as a sunscreen lotion

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) has sunscreen efficacy consisting of lycopene which can provide ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in sunlight and protect skin from UV B induces photodamage. Objective: This work aims to formulate attractive, effective, and stable sunscreen lotion from tomato extract. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening and measurement of sun protection factor (SPF) values were performed first on tomato fruit extract. Thus, lotion formulations and SPF lotion measurements have been added tomato extract. Observations of pH, viscosity, frozen liquefaction cycle to see globule size, and centrifugation were performed to see the stability of the lotion preparation, and the latter was a qualitative test for the preparation of lotions compared with the extract. Results: The concentration of tomato extract on sunscreen lotion which has SPF value close to SPF 15 from extract is 1% and 1.5% tomato extract with SPF value 18.84 and 22.24. Physical observation of the lotion is done by organoleptic observation, pH and viscosity measurement, centrifugation, and freezing of liquefaction and qualitative test shows a stable profile for 28 days of storage. Conclusion: The results showed that the sunscreen lotion produced had good physical quality for 28 days of storage.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from grape and tomato juices and evaluation of biological activities.

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is substantial for its application in lots of fields. Tomato and grape fruit juices were used as a reducing and capping agents for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. Ultraviolet spectroscopic analysis offered peaks in the range of 396‒420 nm that indicate the production of AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed attachment of different functional groups with Ag ion in both tomato and grape fruit extracts NPs. The X‒ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the synthesised AgNPs have a face centred cubic confirmation. Scanning electron microscopy confirms the size of NPs that varies from 10 to 30 nm. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant capacity, reducing power assay, total flavonoid contents and total phenolic contents determination confirmed that synthesised AgNPs are potent antioxidant agents; can be used as an effective scavenger of free radicals. Biosynthesised AgNPs also showed good antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas septica, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi. Protein kinase inhibition activity showed a clear zone which indicates anticancerous potential of biosynthesised AgNPs. The efficacious bioactivities indicate that the tomato and grape derived AgNPs can be used efficiently in pharmaceutical and medical industries.

Japanese Cedar Pollen-Based Subcutaneous Immunotherapy Decreases Tomato Fruit-Specific Basophil Activation

Background: Some patients with Japanese cedar pollen (JCP)-induced allergic rhinitis develop pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) as a reaction to tomato fruit. Pollen allergen-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is reportedly beneficial for some associated food allergies; however, the reported changes in food allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG₄ levels are inconsistent. Here, we investigated immunologic reactivity to tomato fruit after JCP-based SCIT. Methods: Twenty-three children (aged 6-17 years) with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis and sensitized to tomato (serum tomato fruit-specific IgE level >0.34 UA/ml) received JCP-based SCIT. Basophil activation by tomato and JCP extracts and serum-specific IgE and IgG₄ levels against these allergens were determined before and after 4 or 5 months of maintenance SCIT. Basophil activation was assessed by monitoring CD203c upregulation on flow cytometry. Results: JCP-based SCIT significantly reduced the basophil activation caused by tomato fruit (p = 0.03) and JCP (p < 0.001) extracts. JCP-specific IgG₄ levels markedly increased after SCIT (p < 0.001), whereas tomato fruit-specific IgG₄ levels did not. After SCIT, no significant changes were observed in specific IgE levels for tomato fruit (p = 0.11) or JCP (p = 0.19). Conclusions: Tomato fruit-specific basophil activation decreases after JCP-based SCIT, suggesting that it is efficacious in relieving and preventing the symptoms of PFAS in patients with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis.

The Quality Characteristics of Tomato Sauce Prepared with Different Contents of Immature Tomato Fruit Extract

The Quality Characteristics of Tomato Sauce Prepared with Different Contents of Immature Tomato Fruit Extract

Absolute quantification of metabolites in tomato fruit extracts by fast 2D NMR

Quantitative NMR metabolomics is a powerful tool to have access to valuable information on metabolism. Unfortunately, the quantitative analysis of metabolic samples is often hampered by peak overlap. Two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy offers a promising alternative and quantitative results can be obtained provided that a calibration approach is employed. However, the duration of 2D NMR experiments is barely compatible with the metabolomic study of a large number of samples. This drawback can be circumvented by relying on “ultrafast” experiments capable of recording 2D spectra in a single-scan. While such experiments are not sensitive enough to match the concentrations of metabolic samples, a compromise can be reached by hybrid strategies capable of recording 2D NMR spectra of extracts in a few minutes only. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that these multi-scan single-shot experiments can be successfully applied to the absolute quantification of major metabolites in plant extracts. Fast COSY experiments are recorded in 5 min on tomato fruit pericarp extracts at different stages of development. The concentration of eight major metabolites is determined with a trueness better than 10 % and a technical repeatability of a few percent. The experiments performed at two magnetic fields lead to similar quantitative results, in coherence with the metabolism of tomato fruit. The results show that fast 2D NMR methods form a promising tool for fast targeted metabolomics, and open promising perspective towards the automated and high-throughput quantitative analysis of large groups of plant and other samples for metabolomics and for the modelling of metabolism.

Dual catalytic activity of hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A quinate transferase from tomato allows it to moonlight in the synthesis of both mono- and dicaffeoylquinic acids.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), like other Solanaceous species, accumulates high levels of antioxidant caffeoylquinic acids, which are strong bioactive molecules and protect plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. Among these compounds, the monocaffeoylquinic acids (e.g. chlorogenic acid [CGA]) and the dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs) have been found to possess marked antioxidative properties. Thus, they are of therapeutic interest both as phytonutrients in foods and as pharmaceuticals. Strategies to increase diCQA content in plants have been hampered by the modest understanding of their biosynthesis and whether the same pathway exists in different plant species. Incubation of CGA with crude extracts of tomato fruits led to the formation of two new products, which were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as diCQAs. This chlorogenate:chlorogenate transferase activity was partially purified from ripe fruit. The final protein fraction resulted in 388-fold enrichment of activity and was subjected to trypsin digestion and mass spectrometric sequencing: a hydroxycinnamoyl-Coenzyme A:quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) was selected as a candidate protein. Assay of recombinant HQT protein expressed in Escherichia coli confirmed its ability to synthesize diCQAs in vitro. This second activity (chlorogenate:chlorogenate transferase) of HQT had a low pH optimum and a high Km for its substrate, CGA. High concentrations of CGA and relatively low pH occur in the vacuoles of plant cells. Transient assays demonstrated that tomato HQT localizes to the vacuole as well as to the cytoplasm of plant cells, supporting the idea that in this species, the enzyme catalyzes different reactions in two subcellular compartments.