A biochemical analysis sought to determine the bioactive components in two determinate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars, viz., red-fruited cultivar Yamal and orange-fruited cultivar Utenok. For comparative analysis, both cultivars reached growth under two different growing conditions (organic and conventional farming systems) in the same agroclimatic zone. Organically grown tomato cultivars exhibited the highest values of soluble solids (SS), antioxidant activity, and total phenolic compounds. A considerable positive correlation was evident between the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 64 different compounds succeeded in their identification in the methanol extract, including 24 organic acids, two phenolic compounds, 15 carbohydrates, five amino acids, 13 sugar alcohols, and five other compounds. Concentrations of 35 identified compounds were higher in organically grown tomatoes. The organically grown tomato cultivar Utenok showed the highest carbohydrate content (52.52%). A considerable positive correlation emerged between the soluble solids and carbohydrates. The results authenticated the significant influence of both cultivars and growing conditions on the fruit’s biochemical composition and revealed organically grown tomatoes possess improved nutritional values. The distinct responses of the Utenok and Yamal varieties regarding carbohydrate accumulation confirm that biochemical composition is contingent on both genotypic factors and environmental conditions.
Tomato (S. lycopersicum L.), cultivars, оrganic and conventional cultivation, biochemical parameters, DPPH method, primary and secondary metabolites
Organically grown tomatoes (S. lycopersicum L.) exhibited the highest concentrations of soluble solids, antioxidants, total carbohydrates, fructose monosaccharides, and secondary metabolites (quininic, glutaric, and caffeic acids) compared to conventional tomatoes.