Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in Western countries and represent about one third of all deaths worldwide. Compared to Northern Europe or other Western countries, the Mediterranean area has lower rates of mortality from CVD and cancer, and this is attributed, at least partially, to the so-called Mediterranean diet, rich in bioactive phytochemicals. Identification of the active constituents of the Mediterranean diet is therefore essential for the formulation of appropriate dietary guidelines. Lycopene is a natural carotenoid found in tomatoes, an essential component of the Mediterranean diet. Although lycopene belongs to the carotenoid family, it has no pro-vitamin A functions, but many other biochemical functions as a scavenger antioxidant, hypolipidemic agent, inhibitor of pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic factors, and is therefore potentially beneficial in the prevention of CVD. Although many aspects of lycopene in vivo metabolism, functions, and clinical indications remain to be clarified, the integration of low doses of lycopene has already been proposed as a preventive measure to counter CVD and improve many aspects of their therapy. The purpose of this study is the quantitative determination of lycopene in tomatoes by means of an HPLC system coupled to Diode Array Detection (DAD), to investigate its content in some varieties (such as globe, plum and cherry tomatoes) coming from different areas, in order to define nutrient profiles and to identify species with high contents of lycopene. Moreover, the analytical method is being applied to the evaluation of lycopene levels in tomato-based products (tomato paste, canned tomato, tomato sauce). Matrix purification was obtained by means of a liquid-liquid extraction, followed by a chromatographic separation with a C18 stationary phase and a methanolic mobile phase. The method is being validated and seems promising for the quantitative determination of lycopene in complex vegetal matrices such as tomatoes and tomato-based products.
Michele Protti, Roberto Mandrioli, Laura Mercolini, Maria Augusta Raggi (2012). Evaluation of Mediterranean diet health benefits: lycopene analysis in tomato-based products. Riccione : SOCIETÀ CHIMICA ITALIANA (SCI).
Evaluation of Mediterranean diet health benefits: lycopene analysis in tomato-based products
MANDRIOLI, ROBERTO;RAGGI, MARIA AUGUSTA
2012
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in Western countries and represent about one third of all deaths worldwide. Compared to Northern Europe or other Western countries, the Mediterranean area has lower rates of mortality from CVD and cancer, and this is attributed, at least partially, to the so-called Mediterranean diet, rich in bioactive phytochemicals. Identification of the active constituents of the Mediterranean diet is therefore essential for the formulation of appropriate dietary guidelines. Lycopene is a natural carotenoid found in tomatoes, an essential component of the Mediterranean diet. Although lycopene belongs to the carotenoid family, it has no pro-vitamin A functions, but many other biochemical functions as a scavenger antioxidant, hypolipidemic agent, inhibitor of pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic factors, and is therefore potentially beneficial in the prevention of CVD. Although many aspects of lycopene in vivo metabolism, functions, and clinical indications remain to be clarified, the integration of low doses of lycopene has already been proposed as a preventive measure to counter CVD and improve many aspects of their therapy. The purpose of this study is the quantitative determination of lycopene in tomatoes by means of an HPLC system coupled to Diode Array Detection (DAD), to investigate its content in some varieties (such as globe, plum and cherry tomatoes) coming from different areas, in order to define nutrient profiles and to identify species with high contents of lycopene. Moreover, the analytical method is being applied to the evaluation of lycopene levels in tomato-based products (tomato paste, canned tomato, tomato sauce). Matrix purification was obtained by means of a liquid-liquid extraction, followed by a chromatographic separation with a C18 stationary phase and a methanolic mobile phase. The method is being validated and seems promising for the quantitative determination of lycopene in complex vegetal matrices such as tomatoes and tomato-based products.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
