Work

Monitoring time–series color and fluorescence properties of red–type tomato during cold storage

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Tomatoes are one of the most popular foods, known for their delicious taste and rich nutritional contents. However, due to climacteric characteristics, it degrades rapidly during storage. Hence, monitoring the state of tomatoes is essential to prevent unnecessary food loss and waste. In the market, common types of tomato are pink and red tomato, which differ in yellow pigment inside the peel. This study aimed to reveal color and fluorescence characteristics of red–type tomatoes and their change during storage. The excitation–emission matrix (EEM) of tomato peel showed that there was one significant fluorescence emission area at excitation wavelength 300–320 nm and emission wavelength 350–550 nm, which was suspected to be phenolic compounds. Depending on maturity level, fluorescence from chlorophyll and its derivative may also be present in EEM. However, EEM of ethanol-extracted chemical compounds indicated the presence of flavonoids and carotenoids, though their fluorescence was not visible in the peel’s EEM. Color and fluorescence images using 308 nm and 365 nm were used to non–invasively monitor the change of tomatoes. The result showed that both fluorescence colors under 308 and 365 nm became more bluish, while the fluorescence intensity slightly decreased as longer storage time due to increasing of flavonoid, phenolic and carotenoid compounds. In addition, green fluorescence due to carotenoid compound was observed in microscopic image in 3 weeks stored tomato. These findings suggest that the color and fluorescence characteristics can be used to monitor both physical and chemical changes in red–type tomatoes during storage. • Fluorescence characteristics of red–type tomatoes were investigated using EEM and image. • Green fluorescence color from phenolics was observed under 308 nm. • Florescence under 308 nm and 365 nm became more bluish as longer storage duration. • L–value and B–ratio of fluorescence images were suitable parameters for tracking change during storage.

Source: Postharvest Biology and Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113899

Authors: Panintorn Prempree, Hisaya Imamori, Hiroshi Nakashima, Takahiro Hayashi, Naoshi Kondo

Institutions: Kyoto University, Kagome Co., Ltd. (Japan)

Language: English

Topic: Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,280