Multifaceted characterization of mineral biofortified tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits with emphasis on nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and structural properties.

Abstract

The functional quality of horticultural crops through targeted minerals strategies is a key focus in modern food and nutrition research. Among various micronutrients, zinc, iron and iodine are critical for improving crop nutritional value. This study evaluated their soil and foliar application effects on antioxidant enzyme and mineral enrichment in tomato. Among seven treatments with foliar application of zinc sulphate (0.5%) showing most pronounced improvements. Lycopene (11.52 mg 100 g-1), carotenoids (19.22 mg 100 g-1), phenolics (51.36 mg GAE 100 g-1) and flavonoids (40.86 mg QE 100 g-1) increased significantly alongside enhanced phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities. Mineral profiling confirmed greater accumulation of Zn (2.43 mg kg-1), Fe (46.76 mg kg-1) and I (0.07 mg kg-1) in fruits. FTIR and XRD revealed biochemical and structural changes. Therefore, foliar biofortification particularly with zinc emerged as practical and sustainable strategy to improve nutritional quality with potential human health benefits.