Main and Trace Element Contents of Tomatoes Grown in Austria

Abstract

Tomatoes are one of the most popular and widespread kinds of vegetables on a global scale. Tomatoes of various varieties, sizes and shapes, were grown in 3 different greenhouses in Austria on solid substrates. After freeze drying, they were analyzed for main and trace elements by ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and combustion methods (for C, N). Main inorganic cation was K, whereas contents of hazardous metals (e.g. Cd, Pb), Rare Earth Elements, Si, and Ti were marginal. Due to high water contents, the contribution to the Recommended Daily Intake of essential elements is largely below 1/5 for 1 kg consumption. In spite of different varieties grown at the 3 sites, trends for concentrations versus fruit size could be noted for K, Ca, S, B, Cu, Fe, Zn and Si. Similarly, fruits with seeds + jelly tended to contain more of almost all elements, but less of Li, Ca, Sr, and Ba, whereas P and B were equally distributed. No significant correlations between the concentrations found in tomato-fruits and the amount of soil mobilizable in 0.16 M acetic acid (exchangeable + acid mobile) were found. A look into already published data from other countries reveals that element concentrations met in tomatoes presumably depend on climatic conditions and suitably adapted varieties than on the growing substrate.