Tomato seeds, pulp and skins have been found to contain a significant amount of anti-oxidants and preservative ingredients, website Nutraingredients.com reported.

Scientists compared the concentration of bioactive compounds in tomato processing by-products and unprocessed tomatoes, publishing their findings in LWT - Food Science and Technology.

Researchers found on a dry weight basis, tomato by-products and waste contained increased levels of beta-carotene, tocopherols, sterols and terpenes,while fatty acid profiles were found to be similar in both processed wastes and unprocessed tomatoes.

Lead researcher at Greece's Harokopia University Nick Kalogeropoulos, said waste products could be used as food ingredients, the story reported.

"These value adding constituents could be either isolated from the wastes to be used as natural anti-oxidants for the formulation of functional foods, or to serve as additives in the food systems to elongate their shelf life," he was quoted as saying.

Kalogeropoulos said the tomato was the second most important vegetable crop worldwide after potatoes with an annual production of 100 million metric tons (MT) in 144 countries.

Photo: Herb Online

www.freshfruitportal.com