Influence of different crop management practices on the nutritional properties and benefits of tomato -Lycopersicon esculentum cv Perfectpeel-

P>In this study, we have explored the relationship between the cultivation method and the concentration of major flavonoid aglycones, hydroxycinnamic acids, carotenoids and the total antioxidant activity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv Perfectpeel); in addition, we have investigated the bioactivity of polyphenol extracts from tomato. The main polyphenols in extracts were quercetin (33.90 +/- 6.31 mg kg-1 and 17.92 +/- 1.09 mg kg-1 in conventional and organic extracts), chlorogenic acid (3.52 +/- 0.74 mg kg-1 and 2.82 +/- 0.92 mg kg-1 in conventional and organic extracts) and caffeic acid (3.61 +/- 0.71 mg kg-1 and 3.29 +/- 0.33 mg kg-1 in conventional and organic extracts). Although statistical differences were found between organic and conventional extracts in several target compounds, no difference in biological effect was observed using cell models. The observed Trans Epithelial Electrical Resistance values were not significantly different between organic and conventional tomato extracts, but we have observed, in both samples, a decrease in tight-junction permeability at 17 mu m of polyphenol concentrations. Antioxidant compounds entering within the cell could exert an antioxidant action, nevertheless at concentrations > 17 mu m could have a pro-oxidant effect.