Consumption of spoiled tomatoes is on the increase with more patronage by some commercial food operators in Ghana.
Spoiled tomatoes may have higher nutritional and healthful plant-based chemicals than fresh tomatoes but are highly contaminated with harmful microbes, thus not safe for consumption.
That is the conclusion of a study by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, with sponsorship from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and Rockefeller Foundation.
Consumption of tomatoes provides health benefits. However, they’re highly perishable due to their high moisture content, soft nature, postharvest handling and are highly prone to microbial contamination.
The study was undertaken to determine the nutritional and phytochemical compositions of fresh and spoiled tomatoes. In addition, the researchers also sought to determine the levels of microbial load in sampled tomatoes.
For the study, fresh tomatoes and spoiled tomatoes were obtained from different tomato sellers at Borla Market in Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana and analysed.
The researchers found all the spoiled tomatoes had considerably higher levels of nutrients (crude fibre, higher potassium, and high folic acid) as compared to the fresh tomatoes except for moisture and vitamin C.
Again, higher levels of plant-based chemicals known as phytochemicals were found in the spoiled tomatoes, particularly lycopene, beta carotene and chlorogenic acid.
The researchers attribute the results to advance ripening and moisture loss in spoiled tomatoes.
“As ripening goes on, these phytonutrients are synthesized,” lead scientist Prof. Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu of the KNUST Food Science and Technology said.
The researchers, however, warn spoiled tomatoes are highly contaminated with harmful microbes.
“We found the spoiled tomatoes were contaminated with molds, E Coli and other harmful bacteria, beyond recommended levels by Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA).
"They’re highly contaminated with microbes and therefore not safe for human consumption,” explained Prof. Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu.
Latest Stories
-
Sedina Tamakloe’s arrest: MoF, MASLOC board can’t be left off the hook – Analyst
6 mins -
Three JHS boys arrested for allegedly gang-defiling 15-year-old colleague
12 mins -
Today’s front pages: Friday, April 19, 2024
22 mins -
Magnus RexDanquah : ‘Breaking the Eight’ – The Greatest Scam Ever since Ackah Blay Miezah’s Gold Deposits claim
30 mins -
You cannot advise a fool – Kofi Kinaata
2 hours -
Christopher Adu Boahen to be buried on April 25
3 hours -
Ghana will achieve universal access to electricity by end of the year – Finance Minister
3 hours -
Ghana is set to procure one million revenue-efficient meters
4 hours -
National Peace Council raises concern over hate speech, insults in the media
4 hours -
I will fight corruption ruthlessly – Alan Kyerematen
4 hours -
Akufo-Addo pledges to prioritise the welfare of cocoa farmers
4 hours -
I swore I wouldn’t marry a man like my father and then I married worse
5 hours -
Akufo-Addo vows to make cocoa farmers’ ‘welfare his priority’
5 hours -
Minister advises students against skin bleaching
5 hours -
Women CEOs are architects of change, says Frema Opare
6 hours