EFFECT OF EXTERNAL FACTORS ON TOMATO PIGMENTS AS STUDIED BY CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS

Abstract
Chromatog-raphy was applied to the study of some physiol: factors on the pigment of tomato. Whereas the carotenoid content of the leaves is remarkably constant that of ripe fruits is widely variable. This is partly caused by unknown factors but partly depends on physiol. conditions of the parent plant. Conditions favorable for fruit development decrease the lycopene and total carotenoid concs. in fruits; poor growth conditions favor higher lycopene conc. When detached tomatoes are ripened at 33[degree] no lycopene is formed although the other pigments develop normally. After a prolonged stay at 33[degree] the mechanism of lycopene formation is still unimpaired and shows a sharp optimum near 19[degree]. The B-carotene content is little influenced by the external conditions studied.

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