Changes in antioxidant and metabolite profiles during production of tomato paste

Tomato products and especially concentrated tomato paste are important sources of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet. Tomato fruit contain well-known antioxidants such as vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids. The industrial processing of this fruit into tomato paste involves several treatments that potentially affect the final profile of antioxidants and other metabolites in the commercial product. Here we have used both biochemical and metabolomic techniques to assess the effect of each separate step in the industrial production chain starting from fresh fruit to the final tomato paste. Material was collected from five independent tomato paste production events spread over two successive years. Samples comprised the intact ripe fruits and semifinished products after fruit-breaking, separation of the pulp from skin and seeds, evaporation, and finally after canning and pasteurization. The effect of each processing step was determined by different types of analysis. First, the total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were determined by commonly used spectrophotometric methods. Second, individual antioxidants in the extracts were identified and compared using an HPLC with online antioxidant detection. Third, in each sample the levels of the major individual antioxidants present, i.e., vitamin C, phenolic compounds (such as rutin and chlorogenic acid), tocopherols, and carotenoids, were quantified. Fourth, an untargeted metabolomic approach using LC-QTOF-MS was used to identify those production steps that have the largest impact on the overall metabolic profile in the final paste as compared to the original fruits. This multifaceted approach has revealed that each processing step induces specific alterations in the metabolic profile, as determined by the different analysis procedures, and that in particular the fruit-breaking step and the removal of seed and skin significantly affect the levels of antioxidants and many other metabolites present in commercial tomato paste.     

Polyphenols as chemotaxonomic markers in Italian "long-storage" tomato genotypes

"Long-storage" tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a niche product typical of the Mediterranean area, traditionally cultivated under no water supply, the fruits of which combine a good taste with excellent nutritional properties. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electron spray-mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS) was used to identify the phenolic profile in 10 landraces of long-storage tomato, grown under a typical semiarid climate, as compared to a processing tomato hybrid cultivated in the same environment, under both well-irrigated and unirrigated conditions. Sixteen different secondary metabolites, belonging to the classes of cinnamoylquinic acids and flavonoids, were identified. Quantitative analyses were also performed to monitor the changes in the phenolic content along the batch. The results highlighted that landraces originating from the same area exhibit different fruit morphologies but own a similar biochemical profile. Moreover, the two controls (well irrigated and unirrigated) are placed into the same cluster, suggesting that these secondary metabolites in tomato fruits may be more genetics-dependent than environment-dependent. Given the analysis of phenols nowadays represents a useful tool to assess the genetic variability in tomato, these compounds could be adopted as chemotaxonomic markers in the traceability of this niche product.     

基于多特征软概率级联的场景级土地利用分类方法

为实现高分辨率遥感影像特征的有效组织优化,以及提高特征的可判别性,该文提出了基于中层特征学习的多特征软概率级联模型实现场景级土地利用分类。首先,提取影像的密集尺度不变转换特征(dense scale invariant feature transform,DSIFT)、光谱特征(spectral feature,SF)以及局部二值模式特征(local binary pattern,LBP)作为低层特征;然后由局部约束线性编码(locality-constraint linear coding,LLC)分别对DSIFT特征、SF特征以及LBP特征进行稀疏编码得到3种低层特征的稀疏系数,并结合空间金字塔匹配(spatial pyramidal matching,SPM)模型、最大空间平滑方法对稀疏系数进行优化,获得影像的中层特征表达;最后,利用SVM分类器,分别对3种低层特征的中层特征表达进行分类,并分别计算3种低层特征分类的软概率,级联3种特征的软概率将其作为图像最终的特征表达,利用SVM分类器进行第2次分类得到最终分类结果。采用UC-Merced Land Use数据集对该方法进行了验证,试验结果表明:1)该方法总体精度达到88.6%,相较于传统稀疏编码空间金字塔匹配(sparse coding and spatial pyramidal matching,Sc SPM),局部约束线性编码(locality-constraint linear coding,LLC)等分类方法,总体精度分别提高了12.7%,9.9%;2)相较于提取单一低层特征的场景分类方法,该文算法更有利于实现对影像中复杂且不易区分的地物的表达,可有效提高土地利用分类精度。     

基于机器视觉的番茄内部品质预测

为了实现番茄内部品质的实施快速检测,利用机器视觉技术,从“定性”和“定量”两方面进行了番茄内部品质预测方法的研究。首先设计开发了番茄图像采集机器视觉系统,可分别从3个不同高度：0.5、1、1.5 m和6个不同方向：上、下、左、右、前、后采集番茄图像。视觉系统利用4个卤素灯作为光源,内部亮度恒定为600 lx。然后收集了68个不同生长阶段的番茄样本,样本根据是颜色从未成熟阶段（绿色）到成熟阶段（红色）被分为了5个等级。在利用开发的机器视觉系统采集了番茄样本的图像之后,通过RGB色彩模型、L*a*b*色彩模型     

基于深度卷积神经网络的番茄主要器官分类识别方法

为实现番茄不同器官的快速、准确检测,提出一种基于深度卷积神经网络的番茄主要器官分类识别方法。在VGGNet基础上,通过结构优化调整,构建了10种番茄器官分类网络模型,在番茄器官图像数据集上,应用多种数据增广技术对网络进行训练,测试结果表明各网络的分类错误率均低于6.392%。综合考虑分类性能和速度,优选出一种8层网络用于番茄主要器官特征提取与表达。用筛选出的8层网络作为基本结构,设计了一种番茄主要器官检测器,结合Selective Search算法生成番茄器官候选检测区域。通过对番茄植株图像进行检测识别,试验结果表明,该检测器对果、花、茎的检测平均精度分别为81.64%、84.48%和53.94%,能够同时对不同成熟度的果和不同花龄的花进行有效识别,且在检测速度和精度上优于R-CNN和Fast R-CNN。     

1H NMR based metabolic profiling in the evaluation of Japanese green tea quality

Classification of tea quality is now mainly performed according to the sensory results by professional tea tasters. However, this evaluation method is inconsistent in differentiating their qualities. A combination of a (1)H NMR technique and a multivariate analysis was introduced to the quality evaluation of green tea by means of a metabolomic technique. A broad range of metabolites were detected by (1)H NMR spectrometry. The principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the complexity of the (1)H NMR spectra data set and provided the quality discrimination result. It offered an extensive clue for classification and quality assessment without any prepurification method. A set of green teas from a Japanese tea contest were analyzed by (1)H NMR to classify the quality with respect to that judged by tea tasters and to conceive a quality prediction model. Metabolic profiling and fingerprinting of (1)H NMR spectra of green teas with different quality were studied. PCA showed a separation between the high- and the low-quality green teas. The taste marker compounds contributing to the discrimination of tea quality were identified. Reliable prediction models were obtained by the partial least-squares projection to latent structure (PLS) analysis together with a preprocessing filter of both orthogonal signal correction (OSC) and a combination between OSC and wavelet transform algorithms.     

Characterization of high purity lycopene from tomato wastes using a new pressurized extraction approach

In this paper, a method for the extraction of high purity lycopene from tomato wastes is presented. The method is based on a pressurized extraction that uses the Extractor Naviglio, and it is performed in the 0.7-0.9 MPa range. Tomato skin, the byproduct deriving from manufacturing of tomato, in a water dispersion, are used as starting material. Lycopene is transferred, for the effect of the high pressure used, in the form of molecular aggregates into the water as a dispersion, while apolar compounds remain in the matrix. The aggregates are easily purified in a single subsequent step by using methanol, thus, obtaining lycopene at 98% chromatographic purity or higher. A new stationary phase, phenyl-hexyl silicone, and a simple water/acetonitrile gradient were used for HPLC analysis of lycopene. The extract was characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. An average recovery of 2.8 mg lycopene/kg tomato waste can be obtained after 4 hours of extraction and using tap water as the extracting liquid. The recovery percentage was of about 10%. The exhausted tomato byproduct can be easily dried and used in agriculture or as feeding for animals.     

番茄三维形态结构的参数提取及模拟

为了实现番茄植株形态的三维动态重建,通过对其形态结构的周期监测与统计分析,提取番茄主茎器官的形态结构变化规律与主要模型参数。模型中形态结构的演变被看作是生长轴由于节间累积而不断的延伸,果实个数应用二项分布进行随机模拟,番茄叶子典型结构采用马尔可夫过程进行模拟,模型采用悬臂梁弯曲模型实现了叶倾角的动态模拟,并利用计算机图形学技术定义了器官的几何形状,而器官几何尺寸的变化应用贝塔（Beta）分布进行了模拟。模型实现了器官及植株的三维动态模拟并具有较高的逼真效果,器官动态生长与田间测量拟合较好。结果表明模型中引     

Metabolomic approach for age discrimination of Panax ginseng using UPLC-Q-Tof MS

An ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Tof MS)-based metabolomic technique was applied for metabolite profiling of 60 Panax ginseng samples aged from 1 to 6 years. Multivariate statistical methods such as principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis were used to compare the derived patterns among the samples. The data set was subsequently applied to various metabolite selection methods for sophisticated classification with the optimal number of metabolites. The results showed variations in accuracy among the classification methods for the samples of different ages, especially for those aged 4, 5, and 6 years. This proposed analytical method coupled with multivariate analysis is fast, accurate, and reliable for discriminating the cultivation ages of P. ginseng samples and is a potential tool to standardize quality control in the P. ginseng industry.     

Profiling of carotenoids in tomato juice by one- and two-dimensional NMR

Epidemiological data have shown a link between dietary intake of tomatoes and tomato products (rich in carotenoids) and a decreased risk of chronic diseases. The carotenoid profile in tomato products depends on tomato variety as well as the thermal conditions used in processing. The final carotenoid profile may affect the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of these biomolecules. Therefore, nondestructive, reliable methods are needed to characterize the structural and stereochemical variation of carotenoids. CDCl(3) rapid extraction was used to extract carotenoids from tomato juice as an alternative rapid procedure that minimizes solvents and time consumption prior to NMR analysis. The profile of these biomolecules was characterized by application of high-resolution multidimensional NMR techniques using a cryogenic probe. The combination of homonuclear and heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR techniques served to identify (all-E)-, (5Z)-, (9Z)-, and (13Z)-lycopene isomers and other carotenoids such as (all-E)-beta-carotene and (15Z)-phytoene dissolved in the extracted lipid mixture. The use of one-dimensional NMR enabled the rapid identification of lycopene isomers, thereby minimizing further isomerization of (all-E)-lycopene as compared to HPLC data. On the basis of the assignments accomplished, the carotenoid profile of typical tomato juice was successfully determined with minimal purification procedures.     

Metabolomic analysis of Ranunculus spp. as potential agents involved in the etiology of equine grass sickness

Identification of toxic or harmful agents continues to be a key goal in agricultural chemistry. This paper reports a metabolomic analysis of Ranunculus repens and related species, which were recently postulated to be cocausative agents in the etiology of equine grass sickness (EGS). Specifically, samples collected at EGS sites were compared with those from non-EGS sites. Furthermore, interspecific and seasonal variations and the species' response to edaphic and climatic factors were investigated. (1)H NMR spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis was applied to the crude methanol extracts of the Ranunculus samples, as well as their chloroform fractions. Samples from EGS sites were significantly different from control samples. The metabolite composition varied greatly between different Ranunculus species. No significant changes could be observed between samples collected in different seasons. This work provides strong evidence that Ranunculus is involved in the etiology of EGS and has implications for agricultural management of pastures.     

Structural ripening-related changes of the arabinan-rich pectic polysaccharides from olive pulp cell walls

In this study, the structural features and ripening-related changes that occur in the arabinan-rich pectic polysaccharides highly enmeshed in the cellulosic matrix of the olive pulp fruit were evaluated. These pectic polysaccharides, obtained from two consecutive harvests at green, cherry, and black ripening stages, account for 11-19% of the total pectic polysaccharides found in the olive pulp cell walls and were previously shown to occur as calcium chelating dimers. On the basis of the 13C NMR, (1H, 13C) gHSQC, 2D COSYPR, and (1H,13C) gHMBC carbon and proton resonances of the variously linked arabinosyl residues, we propose a tentative structure. This structure is particularly characterized by T-beta-Araf (1-->5)-linked to (1-->3,5)-Araf residues and by the occurrence of branched and linear blocks in the arabinan backbone. Methylation analysis showed that these pectic polysaccharides of black olives have more arabinan side chains, which were shorter (less (1-->5)-Araf), highly branched (more (1-->3,5)-Araf), and with shorter side chains (fewer (1-->3)-Araf) than those of green and cherry olives. Quantitative 13C NMR data indicated that these modifications involved the disappearance of the characteristic terminally linked beta-Araf residue of the arabinans. This odd feature can be used as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the stage of ripening of this fruit, as well as a marker for the presence of olive pulp in matrices containing pectic polysaccharides samples.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemometrics to identify pine nuts that cause taste disturbance

Nontargeted 400 MHz (13)C and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used in the context of food surveillance to reveal Pinus species whose nuts cause taste disturbance following their consumption, the so-called pine nut syndrome (PNS). Using principal component analysis, three groups of pine nuts were distinguished. PNS-causing products were found in only one of the groups, which however also included some normal products. Sensory analysis was still required to confirm PNS, but NMR allowed the sorting of 53% of 57 samples, which belong to the two groups not containing PNS species. Furthermore, soft independent modeling of class analogy was able to classify the samples between the three groups. NMR spectroscopy was judged as suitable for the screening of pine nuts for PNS. This process may be advantageous as a means of importation control that will allow the identification of samples suitable for direct clearance and those that require further sensory analysis.