The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

The consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in neutraceuticals is encouraged in the prevention and treatment of illnesses such as cancer. Berries are rich sources of dietary antioxidants and hence plant breeders interested in improving fruit quality use antioxidant content as a selection criterion. In order to enhance neutraceutical content, vegetables such as tomatoes grown under control conditions are subjected varying degrees of salinity. In the present investigation we report the cultivar differences in strawberries with respect to antioxidant content as determined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and the effect of salinity on neutaceuticals in tomatoes. Out of the strawberry cultivars examined Whonnock, Puget Reliance, Nisgaa and Cavendish had higher antioxidant content than Stolo and Totem. In tomatoes, in addition to total antioxidants, lycopene, β-carotene and lutein content were also determined. Salinity was increased by increasing concentrations of all macronutrients in hydroponic solution where electrical conductivity (EC) varied from 2, 4 and 6 mS/cm.  When expressed on fresh weight basis increase in EC increased vitamin C, antioxidants, β-carotene and lycopene, but had no effect on lutein concentration. When expressed on dry weight basis increase in EC increased antioxidant content, but had no effect on vitamin lycopene and decreased lutein and β-carotene. Increase in EC however led to a reduction in fruit yield.