Methods for and pigments extration and determination of color in tomato for processing cultivars

Abstract The aim of this research was compare methods for pigments extraction and color determination in different tomato for processing cultivars, and choose the most promising materials for the industry. The tomatoes for processing studied were of the IT761, H9992, H9553, AP533, Advance, N901, BRSena, U2006, HY26, HY37 and HY68 cultivars. The extraction yields of lycopene and β-carotene using acetone and the mixture of ethanol, acetone and hexane (10:10:20) were determined, and the parameters of color were determined by colorimetric and digitals image methods (Cielab and Hunterlab), besides other physicochemical characteristics. The mixture of solvents is more efficient in the extraction of lycopene and β-carotene than acetone on its own. The methods of assessing the color through image presented higher levels of luminosity and chrome a* and b* than the instrumental method, given that the Hunterlab is closer to the colorimeter method, than Cielab. The analysis through digital images indicates that the procedure is promising, and it can be used as a instrument for analysing tomato colors. Considering that the level of TSS is fundamental to industrial performance, the IT761, BRSena, AP543, and H9992 cultivars stand out, moreover these cultivars have higher levels of lycopene and darker red color.