What is a Tomato?
The tomato is a plant from the genus Solanum lycopersicum. It originated in the western part of South and Central America. Its name derives from the Nahuatl language from Mexico and the Spanish word tomate, which in turn gave rise to the English word tomato. The plant is widely grown in many countries and is considered an important food item around the world.
Lycopersicon esculentum
Tomatoes have been classified in the same family as the potato and are members of the family Solanaceae. They are native to South America and Mexico. Tomatoes contain an array of important nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Throughout history, the tomato has been domesticated in various parts of the world and are cultivated as a vegetable. However, genetic analysis has proven that the tomato belongs in its own genus. In fact, the genus Lycopersicon contains at least 10 species.
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which help to prevent illness and promote growth. They also promote proper immune system function and increase haematocrit and RBC levels. Cooking tomatoes increases their antioxidant content and promotes their absorption by the gastrointestinal tract. Cooked tomatoes can also prevent the adverse effects of lead toxicity.
Lycopersicon lycopersicum
The tomato is the fruit of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, a berry native to western South and Central America. The English word tomato is derived from the Spanish word tomate, which in turn comes from the Nahuatl language of Mexico.
Overuse of agrochemical fertilizers is a major cause of degraded soil health and soil flora. These chemicals can also have toxic effects on human health. This study examined the effect of using industrial and agricultural wastes as carrier materials for the tomato plant. The viability of different strains was determined by the number of colony forming units.
Lycopene, an anti-cancer substance found in tomatoes, can prevent the growth of cancer cells. The anti-cancer compound has antioxidant properties and can help fight off lung, stomach and prostate cancer. It can also help reduce cell damage caused by the oxidation process.
Understanding the metabolism of carbohydrates in fruit plants will lead to biotechnological advances. The fruit of the flesh tomato serves as an ideal model system for sucrose cleavage enzyme research. There are significant differences in storage sugars between wild and cultivated tomato species. One key enzyme involved in sucrose metabolism is called plant vacuolar invertase. This enzyme has been identified in eleven wild and one cultivated tomato accessions.
Tomatoes are closely related to their wild relatives and have been derived from crossbreedings with their wild relatives. A number of beneficial traits have been transferred from wild tomato species to cultivated tomato. This process has helped improve the tomato. The lack of geographical barriers has also led to natural hybridization between tomato species.
