Tomatoes Lycopersicon esculentum Mill are included in the Solanaceae family. The maturity and quality of tomato fruits are evaluated from different point of views by producers, merchandises and consumers. The last ones appreciate usually the taste, form, weigh and color. The dry soluble mater (SUS) is the most accessible quality indicator â it consists of: soluble glucides (glucose, fructose and sucrose), organic acids, amino acids and mineral substances.
The titratable acidity (At) of tomato fruits has a particular importance in taste qualities and this makes it a very important for consumers in establishing tomato quality. The value of the ratio SUS/At is also important.
Carotene and lycopene are the most important pigments in tomato flesh. Because of them the fruits become colored. The accumulation of this pigment is important in establishing the right moment of ripening and the commercial quality of tomato fruits.
The paper presents the variation of the quality index during the ripening process in two different culture cycles. |