Effects of genotype and cultivation environment on lycopene content in red‐ripe tomatoes

Abstract Lycopene, a natural red pigment found in tomato, is correlated with reduced incidence of some cancers. Forty tomato varieties, including cluster F1 hybrid tomatoes, round breeding line tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) and cherry tomato types (L esculentum var cerasiforme), grown under greenhouse and field conditions were evaluated for their lycopene content using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry. Lycopene content varied significantly among the tomato varieties, with cherry tomato types having the highest lycopene content. Greenhouse‐grown cluster and round tomatoes contained more lycopene (mean = 30.3 mg kg−1) than field‐grown tomatoes (mean = 25.2 mg kg−1), whereas cherry tomato types had a higher lycopene content in field‐grown (mean = 91.9 mg kg−1) than in greenhouse‐grown (mean = 56.1 mg kg−1) fruits. HPLC analysis of lycopene isomeric forms revealed a higher content of all‐trans isomers in all tomato genotypes examined. However, the cis isomeric form was exceptionally higher in the field‐ and greenhouse‐grown cherry tomato L esculentum var cerasiforme cv Gardener's Delight, which contained ∼9.3 and 9.9 mg kg−1 cis isomers respectively. Results indicate that genetics and choice of cultivation environment may have a strong influence on tomato lycopene content. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry