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Unexplored nutritive potential of tomato to combat global malnutrition

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Article

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Authors

Vats, Sanskriti 
Bansal, Ruchi 
Rana, Nitika 
Kumawat, Surbhi 
Bhatt, Vacha 

Abstract

Tomato, a widely consumed vegetable crop, offers a real potential to combat human nutritional deficiencies. Tomatoes are rich in micronutrients and other bioactive compounds (including vitamins, carotenoids, and minerals) that are known to be essential or beneficial for human health. This review highlights the current state of the art in the molecular understanding of the nutritional aspects, conventional and molecular breeding efforts, and biofortification studies undertaken to improve the nutritional content and quality of tomato. Transcriptomics and metabolomics studies, which offer a deeper understanding of the molecular regulation of the tomato’s nutrients, are discussed. The potential uses of the wastes from the tomato processing industry (i.e., the peels and seed extracts) that are particularly rich in oils and proteins are also discussed. Recent advancements with CRISPR/Cas mediated gene-editing technology provide enormous opportunities to enhance the nutritional content of agricultural produces, including tomatoes. In this regard, genome editing efforts with respect to biofortification in the tomato plant are also discussed. The recent technological advancements and knowledge gaps described herein aim to help explore the unexplored nutritional potential of the tomato.

Description

Keywords

CRISPR/Cas, antioxidant, biofortification, folate, industrial waste, lycopene, omics, Antioxidants, Carotenoids, Gene Editing, Humans, Solanum lycopersicum, Malnutrition

Journal Title

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1040-8398
1549-7852

Volume Title

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/R005699/1)