Comparative Studies on Biophysicochemical and Microbial Analysis of Three Selected Tomatoes Varieties Grown in Kebbi State

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.