Effect of High Tunnel Coverings on Antioxidants of Breaker and Light Red Tomatoes at Harvest and during Ripening
Kelly M. Gude,
Channa B. Rajashekar,
Brianna Cunningham,
Qing Kang,
Weiqun Wang,
Myungjin Lee,
Cary L. Rivard,
Eleni D. Pliakoni
Affiliations
Kelly M. Gude
Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS 66061, USA
Channa B. Rajashekar
Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, 3036 Throckmorton PSC, 1712 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Brianna Cunningham
Department of Statistics, Kansas State University, 101 Dickens Hall, 1116 Mid-Campus Drive N, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA
Qing Kang
Department of Statistics, Kansas State University, 101 Dickens Hall, 1116 Mid-Campus Drive N, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA
Weiqun Wang
Department of Food, Nutrition, and Dietetic Health, Kansas State University, 212 Justin Hall, 1324 Lovers Lane, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Myungjin Lee
Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, 3036 Throckmorton PSC, 1712 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Cary L. Rivard
Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center, Kansas State University, 35230 W. 135th Street, Olathe, KS 66061, USA
Eleni D. Pliakoni
Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS 66061, USA
(1) Background: We assessed the impact of high tunnel coverings and harvest maturity (breaker and light red) on antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid (AsA), lycopene, β–carotene, and phenolic compound (flavonoid and phenolic acid) accumulation in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) at harvest and postharvest. (2) Methods: The two-year study in Olathe, KS, included six different coverings: a standard polyethylene (standard poly), diffuse poly (diffuse), clear poly (clear), UV-A/UV-B blocking poly (block), 55% shade cloth + standard poly (shade), and removal of standard poly two weeks prior to harvest (movable). (3) Results: Antioxidant capacity increased in fruit grown under the clear covering, compared to the shade covering (p p p p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: Based on these results, we conclude that both high tunnel covering and postharvest maturation alter antioxidant capacity, AsA, lycopene, and phenolic compound accumulation profiles by the POC.
