Comparative Assessment of Lycopene and Some Vitamins and Mineral Composition of Ripe and Unripe Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato) Sold in Kashere

Abstract

Solanum lycopersicum, or tomato, is a widely eaten vegetable because of its high levels of essential nutrients and antioxidant plant compounds. This study analysed the phytochemicals, vitamins, and mineral composition of ripe and unripe tomatoes available in Kashere using standard analytical methods. The analysis of ripe tomatoes revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher amounts of lycopene (153.550 ± 18.031 mg/100g), vitamin C (40.830 ± 0.948 mg/100g), vitamin E (0.4717 ± 0.009 mg/100g), Fe (0.0043 ± 0.00 mg/kg), Zn (0.087 ± 0.001 mg/kg), and Cu (0.001 ± 0.00 mg/kg) present. The lycopene (32 ± 0.001mg/kg) content of ripe tomatoes was higher compared to unripe tomatoes, which had lesser amounts of lycopene (85.655 ± 10.510 mg/100g), vitamin C (11.835 ± 0.248mg /100g), vitamin E (0.162 ± 0.000mg//100g), Fe (0.003 ± 0.000mg/kg), Zn (0.051 ± 0.001mg/kg), and Cu (0.018 ± 0.001mg/kg). However, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in the vitamin A content of unripe tomatoes (0.082 ±0.000mg /100g), which was higher compared to ripe tomatoes (0.029 ± 0.009mg/100g). The findings indicate that the ripening process enhances the nutrient and phytochemical content of tomatoes, with a particular increase in phytochemicals, minerals, and vitamins. Consequently, the consumption of ripe tomatoes could be advantageous to human health, as they offer a higher concentration of minerals and nutrients.