The determination of some physical and chemical attributes of red fruits from tomato cv. Santa Clara, a yellow mutant and the F1 hybrid, were based on b-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C, pH, fresh and dry weight matter, pericarp and fruit diameter, titrateable acidity and total soluble solids. Ripe fruits of the yellow mutant showed reduced levels of b-carotene, lycopene and vitamin C, while fruits of the F1 hybrid showed levels of carotenoid pigments and vitamin C similar to the red fruit. Both mutant and F1 ripe fruits showed lower pH levels than the red parentals. Total fresh fruit and dry weight matter, pericarp and fruit diameter, and acidity were similar in the three genotypes studied. The total soluble-solids content of the pericarp was lower in the mutant and F1 fruits, whereas their concentration in the locule tissues was similar in all genotypes.
Lycopersicon esculentum; b-carotene; lycopene; soluble solids
