International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research

Environmental conditions and cultivation practices can significantly enhance tomato nutritional value. For example, water deficit irrigation has been shown to increase lycopene, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lutein concentrations by more than 60 percent, while also improving sugars and organic acids, which together enhance taste and nutritional quality. This study was aimed to compare the biophysichochemical and microbial analysis of three selected tomatoes varieties grown in three selected local government areas Kebbi State. Nutritional and anti-nutritional factors of the tomatoes samples were analyzed using standards methods. Minerals element were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Bacteria and fungi were also isolated and identified. Survey has also been conducted on impact of handling and storage practices of tomatoes sample. Data were analysed by ANOVA and results expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The results revealed that the proximate shows moisture (93.6±3.0 %), crude fiber (3.03±0.05 %), Ash (0.51±0.01 %) and crude protein (0.82±0.02 %) had the highest percentage whereas crude fat (0.19±0.01 %) had the least percentage. The anti-nutritional factors shows that oxalates had the highest content of (7.43±0.10 mg/100g) compare to phytates (5.78±0.03 mg/100g) and alkaloid (3.65±0.02 mg/100g), whereas the Cyanides had the least contents of (0.0212±0.01 mg/100g). The minerals composition shows that Phosphorus (P) 1.8±0.01 ppm, Potassium (K) 2.2±0.03 ppm had the highest concentration, whereas Zinc (Zn) 0954±0.01, sodium (Na) 0.0630±0.010, Magnesium (Mg) 0.29±0.01, and Calcium (Ca) 0.16±0.01 ppm had the least concentration. A 19 cultured (100%) of bacteria were identified: the highest frequency was recorded from Klebsiellasp.5(28.2 %), Enterobactersp. 4(22.2 %), Salmonella typhi3(13.2 %), Bacillus sp. 3(13.3 %), while the least was recorded from Staphylococcus aureus2(12.7 %), and Streptococcus pneumonia 2(12.7%). A 5 cultured (100%) of fungus were identified: with Saccharomyces spp4(38.5 %), Aspergillusspp 3(33.8 %), and 2(11.5 %), had the highest frequency of isolation, whereas Fusariumspp1(7.7 %), had the least frequency of isolation. The majority (68.0%) are Plum farmers while (23.2%) are heirloom farmers and (8.8%) are Cheery Farmers. In conclusion, the results of this work suggest that three tomatoes varieties can provide good industrial raw materials for paste production because their total solids are within the range of specification and can meet daily recommended intake of minerals, however the low fat values for these samples gives it a positive nutritional implication.

Tomato varieties, proximate composition, anti-nutritional factors, mineral analysis, microbial isolates, handling practices, Kebbi State

1. Abejoye, O.A., Bamkefa, B.A. and Olowe, B.M. (2025). Comparative nutritional and antinutritional qualities of local and breeder tomato improved varieties. Advances in Research, 26:283–292. https://doi.org/10.9734/air/2025/v26i11253
2. Abeza, C.T., Ogungbade, A. M. and Wusu, A. D. (2007). The proximate and mineral composition of three leafy vegetables commonly consumed in Lagos, Nigeria African. Journal. Pure and Applied. Chemistry. 3:102107.
3. Adebiyi, E. O., Soetan, K. O. and Olayemi, F. O. (2015). Comparative Studies on the proximate composition, minerals and antinutritional factors in the leaves and stems of Grewia carpinifolia. Annuals Food Science Technology, 16:207-217.
4. Akano, G. O. (2011). Phytochemical, Proximate and nutrient composition of Vernoniacal vaona Hook (Asteraceae): Agreen-leaf vegetable in N\igeria. Journal. Food Research, 2:1-11.
5. Amadi, O. A. and Adebola, A. A. (2008). Quality characteristics of bread produced from composite flours of wheat, plantain and soybeans. African Journal of Biotechnology, 5:1102-1106.
6. Anyoha, N. O., Aja, O.O., Udemba, H. C. and Okoroma, E.O. (2023). Causes of cassava post harvest losses among armers in Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 27: 73-79. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jae.v27i2.7
7. AOAC, Association of Official Analytical Chemists. (2023). Official methods of analysis of the Association of Analytical ChemistsInternational. (18thed.). AOAC, Gaithersburg, MD.
8. Bal, L.M., Prasad, S. and Sahoo, N.R. (2024). Effect of pectin content in tomato peel on viscosity and quality of tomato-based products. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 61:1124–1135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-023-05821-6
9. Bello, M. O., Farade, O. S., Adewusi, S.R.A. and Olawore, N. O. (2008). Studies of some lesser known Nigeria fruits. African. Journal. Biotechnology, 7:3972-3979.
10. Brander, M. M., Hankinson, T.R., Zhuang, H. and Breidt, F. (2019). Microbiological spoilage of fruits and vegetables. In W.H.S perber and M.P.Doyle (Eds.), Compendium of the microbiological spoilage of foods and beverages, 5:135–183.
11. Cheesbrough, M. (2018). DistrictLaboratory Practice in Tropical Countries Second Edition London English Language Book Society, Pp:100-194.
12. Fernando, H. F. and Ratta, N. (2020). Antinutritional factors in plant foods: Potential health benefits and adverse effects. International. Journal. Nutrition. Food Science, 3:284-289.
13. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2021). FAOSTA Tstatistical database.  FAO.  https://www.fao.org/faostat
14. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2017). FAOSTAT statistical database: Crops. http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC
15. Fujita, S. (2020). Simple modified method for fungal slide preparation. Med Mycotoxin. International Journal, 54:141–146.
16. Hardy, T.M. (2024),. Handbook of Microbiological Media CRC Press, Boca Raton/London. Pp:1-65.
17. Islary A., Sarmah J. and Basumatary, S. (2016). Proximate composition, mineralcontent, phytochemical analysis and invitro antioxidant activities of a wild edible fruit found in Assam of North-East India. Journal of Investigational Biochemistry, 5: 21-31.
18. Kabak, B., Dobson, A. and Var, I. (2006). Strategies to prevent mycotoxin contamination of food and animal feed: a review. Critical Review in Food Science and Nutrition, 46:405-593.
19. Makinde, F.M. and Adekoga, A.E. (2025). Chemical properties and nutritional quality of Nigerian-grown tomato (Solanumlycopersicum) cultivars. Journa lof Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 29:25-31
20. Malhotra, N. and Birks, D. (2007) Marketing Research: An Applied Approach. Prentice Hall.
21. Mohan, A., Ravindran, K., Kaur, A., Vandore, J. and Ramanathan, U. (2023). Management of Postharvest losses and wastages in the Indian Tomato Supply Chain—A Temperature-Controlled Storage Perspective. Sustainability, 15: 1331. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021331
22. Muhammad S.M., Abdurrahaman A.A. and Attahiru M. (2017). Proximate Analysis and Total Lycopene contents of Some Tomato Cultivars from Kano State,Nigeria. Journal of Chemical society of Nigeria, 8:64-69.
23. Njilar, R. M., Ndam, L. M., Ngosong, C., Tening, A. S. and Fujii, Y. (2023). Assessment and characterization of postharvest handling techniques in the value chain of Malay apple (Syzygium malaccense [L.] Merr. & L.M. Perry) in the Mount Cameroon region.
24. Norhaizan, M. E. and Faizadatul-A, A. W. (2009). Determination of phytate, iron, Zinc, Calcium contents and their molar ratios in commonly consumed raw and prepared food in Malaysia. Malaysia Journal. Nutrition, 15:213-222.
25. Ola, F. L. and Oboh, G. (2010). Anti-nutritional factors in nutritional quality of plant foods. Journal Technology, 4:1-3.
26. Olaniyi, J. Akanbi, W. Adejumo, T. and Akande, O. (2010). Growth, fruit yield and nutritional quality of tomato varieties. African Journal of Food Science, 4:398-402
27. Ortega-Salazar, J.A., García-Gaytán, V., Ramírez-Trejo,C., Guevara-González, R.G. and Torres-Pacheco, I. (2023). CRISPR/Cas9-mediated double knock out of SlPG2a and SlPL enhances firmness and shelf life in tomato fruits with out affecting organol eptic quality. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 201, 107706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy. 2023.107706
28. Osho, A. Hore, M. Chakraborty, K. and Roy, S. (2010). Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Corchorusoliterius. International. Journal. Current Pharmaceutical Research, 9:59-63.
29. Pokhrel, B. (2021). Review on post-harvest handling to reduce loss of fruits and vegetables. Pp. 48–52. https://doi.org/10.33545/26631067.2020.v2.i2a.52
30. Prescott, L. M., Harley, J. P. and Klein, D. A. (2002). Food and Industrial Microbiology. In: Microbiology 5th Edition. The WCBMc Graw-Hill companies, Boston, USA. Pp:26-57.
31. Rajapaksha, L., Gunathilake, D. C., Pathirana, S. and Fernando, T. (2021). Reducing post harvest losses in fruits and vegetables for ensuring food security – Case of Sri Lanka. MOJ Food Processing & Technology, 9: 7–16.
32. Rickman, B. C. M. and Barrett, D.M. (2010). Nutritional Comparison of fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. Part2. Vitamin A and carotenoids, vitaminE, minerals and fibre. Journal of Science Food and Agriculture, 2: 85-87.
33. Rutta, E. W. (2022). Understanding barriers impeding the deployment of solar-powered cold storage technologies for post-harvest tomato losses reduction: Insights from small-scale farmers in Tanzania. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6.
34. ShinaI., S. T. And Aliyu, D. (2018). Comparative Nutritional Composition of Raw and Canned Tomatoes Solanumly copersicum (Lycopersiconesculentum) Dutse Market Jigawa State, Nigeria. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (DUJOPAS), 4: 424-435
35. Silva, C. J., Van Den Abeele, C., Ortega-Salazar, I., Papin, V., Adaskaveg, J. A., Wang, D., Casteel, C. L., Seymour, G. B. and Blanco-Ulate, B. (2021). Host susceptibility factors render ripe tomato fruit vulnerable to fungal disease despite active immune responses. Journal of Experimental Botany, 72: 2696–2709.
36. Stanciu, S. (2023). Rheological behavior and modeling of tomato sauces and purees: A review. Food Hydrocolloids, 139:108594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.108594
37. Thomas, D. R. and Hodges, I. D. (2010). Designing and managing your research project: Core skills for social and health research, SAGE Publications. 
38. Tkaczyk, S. and Szpotański, M. (2023). Damage to palletized loads in road transport. WUT Journal of Transportation Engineering, 137: 19–38. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0053.9656
39. Tongbram, K., Singh, Y. C. and Singh, O. K. (2021). A Study on Production and Marketing Constraints of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Growers in Bishnupur District of Manipur. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 9: 37–41. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajaees/2021/v39i930639