Anti-oxidative activity in different cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidative activities were determined from the following nine different cultivars of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum): San Marzano 823, Cirio 3, All Flash 900, Castiglione Del Lago, Roma, Black Tomato, Holland, Typical English and Finest Tesco. The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities were carried out, respectively, through the DMPD (N, N-Dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride) and ABTS (2, 2?-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) methods. In order to assess the nutritional value of all varieties, the concentration of major carotenoids, lycopene and ?-carotene, which is contained in all lipophilic extracts, was also determined. No correlation between the high concentration of lycopene and ?-carotene, and total antioxidative activity was found. On the other hand, it is justifiable to assume that the total antioxidative activity of tomato is the result of the integrated action of different compounds rather than that of each single compound. To evaluate potential anti-tumoral activity, anticytotoxic activities by brine shrimps assay were also determined in all lipophilic extract.