Antioxidants, Microbial Load and Heavy Metal Contents of Some Sachet Tomato Paste Obtained in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Tomato paste is fast becoming first choice for many homes in cooking while meeting up with their busy  schedules in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant contents, microbial load and heavy metal contents of both unprocessed and processed tomato products. β-carotene, lycopene and vitamin C contents were analysed accordingly on selected sachet tomato paste. Microbial colony counts were done using both nutrient agar and potatoes dextrose agar. Heavy metals from sampled tomato products were done using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The study observed β-carotene ranged between 0.02 – 0.52 mg/g, lycopene ranged between 0.12 – 0.56 mg/g and vitamin C contents of ranged between 12.50 – 75.0 mg/mL. These were more than WHO/FAO and FEPA recommendations. All tomatoes samples showed microbial load higher than limits allowable. Bacillus sp., Salmonella sp., Aspergillus sp. were predominantly isolated from sampled processed tomato products. Cadmium contents were above the permissive limit in some of the tomato paste products. Copper, zinc, lead, nickel, chromium and iron were not detected in all samples evaluated. The study showed few processed tomato products were safe for  consumption. Hence, monitoring by regulatory agencies for consumer safety regulations is highly  recommended on processed tomato producers.