Relations between nutrients and bioactive compounds of commercial tomato varieties by the Principal Component Analysis

This study evaluated relations among nutrients, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of commercial tomato varieties grown in field conditions in order to identify their biological potential by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Four commercial tomato varieties (Long Life, Italian, Khaki and Cherry), homogenized by their maturation stage (color, sugar/acidity ratio and pH) were evaluated regarding macro components (sugars, pectin and minerals) and functional ones (carotenoids, phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid). Cherry tomatoes stood out for their pectin and lycopene contents and their sugar/ acidity ratio. Tomato samples were good sources of Cu and Ca. The PCA showed that the antioxidant potential of phenolic compounds was related to protocatecoic acid and quercetin concentrations. Italian and Cherry varieties stood out for their carotenoid contents. In field conditions, Cherry and Italian tomatoes were the best sources of functional compounds among the most common varieties found in the human diet.