The Compositional HJ-Biplot-A New Approach to Identifying the Links among Bioactive Compounds of Tomatoes

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Food Science
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Tomatoes are recognized as functional foods due to their rich bioactive compound profile.
• Understanding compositional variations is crucial for optimizing tomato quality and health benefits.
• Specific statistical methods for compositional data analysis are often overlooked in food science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the proximate composition, mineral and trace element content, and antioxidant compounds in two tomato cultivars.
• To compare the effects of conventional versus hydroponic cultivation systems on tomato composition.
• To apply compositional data analysis techniques to identify significant variations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of proximate composition, minerals, trace elements, and antioxidant compounds (e.g., lycopene, ascorbic acid).
• Utilized compositional Mann-Whitney U tests to assess differences between cultivars and cultivation systems.
• Employed compositional HJ-biplot for analyzing relationships among compositional variables.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in protein, magnesium (Mg), lycopene, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and fumaric acid were observed between tomato cultivars (Mariana and Dunkan).
• Cultivation system (conventional vs. hydroponic) significantly impacted mineral and trace element profiles.
• Compositional HJ-biplot analysis supported existing scientific findings on the linear relationships between certain compounds.

Conclusions:

• Cultivar and cultivation method significantly influence the nutritional and bioactive composition of tomatoes.
• Hydroponic systems may alter the mineral and trace element content compared to conventional farming.
• Further multi-year and multi-location studies are needed to fully elucidate compound relationships in tomatoes.