Studies of bioactive compounds of wild tomatoes in the context of functional food and genetic improvement of Ararat Valley plants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v6i2.1810Abstract
Wild tomato species (Lycopersicon pennellii and L. cheesmanii) are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential functional food applications. Six accessions (three Լ․ cheesmanii and three Լ․ pennellii) cultivated in the Ararat Valley, Armenia, were analyzed for dry matter, vitamin C, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and pectin. Yellow and orange fruits (Լ․cheesmanii) exhibited higher β-carotene, lutein, and pectin, while red fruits (L․pennellii) were richer in lycopene. Significant variation in vitamin C and dry matter was also observed, reflecting genotype and pigmentation effects․These findings highlight the high functional and nutritional potential of wild tomato accessions, forming a scientific basis for the selection of valuable germplasm aimed at developing health-promoting tomato cultivars. The novelty of this study lies in the first cultivation and comprehensive evaluation of these wild tomato species under the agro-climatic conditions of the Ararat Valley (Republic of Armenia), with an emphasis on their potential use in functional food production and breeding programs.
Objective: To evaluate key bioactive and nutritional compounds in wild tomato accessions for their potential use in functional food production.
Methods: Fruits from six wild tomato accessions were analyzed for dry matter, vitamin C, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and pectin using standard biochemical assays. Quantitative data were statistically processed to assess variation among accessions.
Results: Yellow and orange fruits (Լ․ cheesmanii) contained higher levels of β-carotene, lutein, and pectin, whereas red fruits (pennellii) were richer in lycopene. Vitamin C and dry matter also varied significantly among accessions, reflecting the influence of genotype and fruit pigmentation.
Conclusion: Wild tomato accessions exhibit substantial diversity in bioactive compounds, emphasizing their functional and nutritional potential. These results can guide the selection of promising germplasm for breeding nutritionally enhanced tomato varieties.
Keywords: wild tomato, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon cheesmanii, bioactive compounds, functional food, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, vitamin C, pectin.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Gohar Kirakosyan, Karine Sarikyan, Gayane Shaboyan, Marine Grigoryan, Varduhi Vardanyan, Arus Zurabyan, Gayane Sahradyan, Arusyak Zhamharyan
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