Lipophilic antioxidants and some carpometric characteristics of fruits of ten processing tomato varieties, grown in different climatic conditions.

Microclimatic conditions and fruit maturity can affect the health-promoting compounds in tomato fruits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Mediterranean and continental weather conditions, on fruit firmness and coloration as well as on the concentrations of lycopene, alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein and on alpha-, delta- and gamma-tocopherol, in fruits of 10 processing tomato varieties. Compositional data analysis was carried out in order to determine the composition of carotenoids and tocopherols. Mediterranean weather conditions associated with agricultural practice have contributed to faster fruit ripening, which significantly improved the coloration with all varieties, and significantly increased the concentration of total carotenoids and lycopene with varieties with oval and elongated fruits. Environmental conditions in a low tunnel increased the red coloration, but did not significantly increase the content of either total carotenoids or tocopherols. The cultivar and the location of cultivation had a strong effect on the composition of the analyzed lipophilic antioxidants.