Characterization of bioactive natural compounds and nutraceutical quality in Andean tomato landraces grown under...

Tomatoes are rich in bioactive natural compounds (BNCs) with health benefits, though many of which remain underexplored. Wild and landrace varieties exhibit extensive genetic diversity, which is expected to yield a wide range of BNCs and enhance adaptability to climate change. This research aims to identify tomato varieties with high nutraceutical quality grown under optimal (24/18 °C) and elevated (30/24 °C) temperature conditions, comparing Andean and commercial tomatoes. Additionally, this study investigates BNCs with promising health benefits. Nutraceutical assessments included BNC analysis by HPLC-MS, in vitro antioxidant and electrophilic activities and an in vivo stress protection assay using Caenorhabditis elegans.

Andean varieties showed superior nutraceutical qualities compared to commercial cultivars. In particular, landrace 3815 and the wild species S. pimpinellifolium (LA1589) showed the highest nutraceutical value and adaptability to elevated temperatures. Correlation analysis of BNC composition and biological activities identified 55 known and unknown BNCs that likely contribute to the overall nutraceutical quality of tomatoes. Among the known BNCs, lycopene and chlorogenic acid were the most prominent ones.

These findings highlight novel Andean landrace nutraceutical quality under optimal and suboptimal growth conditions and identify BNCs as valuable indicators of nutritional quality. Altogether, this study provides a foundation for future breeding strategies. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.