ICAR Research Data Repository for Knowledge Management

A Simple non-destructive method for estimating pigment content of tomato during ripening is described. Tomatoes sorted out subjectively into six ripening stages, from mature-green to over-ripe, were subjected to light reflectance measurements using a tristimulus photovoltic colour Instrument and also analysed for lycopene, chlorophyll and β-carotene contents( Simple linear coefficient of correlations between pigment values and ten reflectance parameters viz., lightness (L), redness (a), yellowness (b), hue (a/b), hue angle {θ=tan-1(b/a)}1 chroma (∆C), total colour difference (∆E), a/L, arc length {θ* sqr (aˆ2 + bˆ2)} and tomato colour (2000 * cosθ/L) were determined and suitable regression equations fitted to estimate lycopene, chlorophyll and β-carotene contents of tomatoes, using the best linear/non-linear function.