USDA Releases New Tomatoes with Increased Beta-Carotene
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, November 2, 1998

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have released three new tomato breeding lines that contain about 10-25 times more beta-carotene than typical tomatoes.

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist John R. Stommel developed the new high beta-carotene tomato lines-97L63, 97L66, and 97L97-for use in processing into paste, juices, and sauces. High beta-carotene cherry and beefsteak-type market tomatoes will also be released as specialty tomatoes for the fresh market.

"Soon consumers may be able to get abundant beta-carotene not only from carrots but also from tomatoes," said Stommel, a plant geneticist with the ARS Vegetable Laboratory in Beltsville, MD.

The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, an essential nutrient that aids in clear vision, bone growth, tooth development, and reproduction.

Stommel said a major food producer is already using material derived from the ARS germplasm to develop nutritionally enhanced products.

"Beta-carotene content for these tomatoes averages 57.6, 55.1, and 55.5 micrograms per gram of fresh weight for 97L63, 97L66, and 97L97 respectively," said Stommel. "Typical tomatoes contain about 2-5 micrograms per gram of fresh weight."

Lines 97L63 and 97L66 are adapted for California and the eastern and midwestern United States. The fruits are firm and crack-resistant. Tomatoes that split before harvesting are susceptible to fruit rot, which can cause large crop losses.

Breeding line 97L97 is adapted for eastern and midwestern production and does not do as well under California growing conditions.

ARS News Service contact: Tara Weaver, (301) 504-1619, tweaver@asrr.arsusda.gov

Scientific contact: John Stommel, plant geneticist, Vegetable Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, B-010A, BARC-West, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville MD 20705, phone (301) 504-5583, fax (301) 504-5555, jstommel@asrr.arsusda.gov.