Tomato lycopene, total flavonoids, vitamin C content and mineral composition as affected by biosynthesized calcium carbonate nanoparticles foliar application
Thobo Motlhalamme, Amani Gabriel Kaningini, Raletsena Maropeng, Force Tefo Thema, Keletso Cecilia Mohale, Malik Maaza
Abstract
Tomatoes, the world's second-largest fruit crop, offer essential amino acids, oleic acid, and minerals like Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn in their fruits. This study examined the influence of biosynthesized CaCO 3 on the mineral composition, lycopene concentration and total flavonoids of greenhouse-grown tomatoes. The results showed that spraying tomato plants with 50–150 mg/L of a CaCO 3 NPs solution can increase the total flavonoid content in ripe fruits. The Vitamin C concentration was cultivar dependent with an increase observed in Money-maker at 50 mg/L of CaCO 3 nanoparticles. The lycopene content was higher in Money-maker fruits compared to Heinz-1370. However, both cultivars had higher lycopene content with 150 mg/L of CaCO 3 NPs. Lastly, the mineral composition of tomato leaves was enhanced by the different treatments in a dissimilar way. It was however observed that CaCO 3 NPs increased the Ca content of the leaves of both cultivars. Nevertheless, for Heinz-1370, the application of CaCO 3 NPs increased Zn, K, Na and B, while for Money-maker it increased B, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn content alongside Ca. • CaCO 3 NPs increase the lycopene content of tomato fruits. • Vitamin C content was cultivar dependent with an increase observed in Money-maker. • CaCO 3 NPs solution can increase the total flavonoid content in ripe fruits. • The mineral composition of tomato leaves was enhanced by the different treatments in a dissimilar way.