Effect of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Exposure on Nutrition-Health Properties of Micro-Tom Tomatoes

Abstract

(1) Background: The anthropogenically induced rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and associated climate change are considered a potential threat to human nutrition. Indeed, an elevated CO2 concentration was associated with significant alterations in macronutrient and micronutrient content in various dietary crops. (2) Method: In order to explore the impact of elevated CO2 on the nutritional-health properties of tomato, we used the dwarf tomato variety Micro-Tom plant model. Micro-Toms were grown in culture chambers under 400 ppm (ambient) or 900 ppm (elevated) carbon dioxide. Macronutrients, carotenoids, and mineral contents were analyzed. Biological anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities were assessed in vitro on activated macrophages. (3) Results: Micro-Tom exposure to 900 ppm carbon dioxide was associated with an increased carbohydrate content whereas protein, minerals, and total carotenoids content were decreased. These modifications of composition were associated with an altered bioactivity profile. Indeed, antioxidant anti-inflammatory potential were altered by 900 ppm CO2 exposure. (4) Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that (i) the Micro-Tom is a laboratory model of interest to study elevated CO2 effects on crops and (ii) exposure to 900 ppm CO2 led to the decrease of nutritional potential and an increase of health beneficial properties of tomatoes for human health.

The Impact of Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Exposure on Magic Tomatoes’ Nutrition–Health Properties

“…Tomato fruits and tomato products represent a good source of bioactive compounds. Minerals, vitamins C and E, β-carotene, lycopene, flavonoids, organic acids, and phenolics are some of the nutrients that support health functions and body balance [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Regarding tomato mineral content evolution as a function of CO 2 exposure, the literature reports are scarce and indicate that it would influence plants’ mineral compositions, both directly and indirectly. Food crops’ mineral content alterations may therefore represent a potential health threat in the long run [ 1 , 23 ]. In this context, the recorded tendency indicates an irregular decrease or no modification as a function of the mineral observed.…”

“…Seeds of tomato variety Solanum licopersicum Magic (STUPICE, PLOVID, and LA0147) were sterilized according to the method described by Appenroth [ 54 , 55 ] and germinated as described by Boufeldja et al, 2022 [ 23 ]. After germination, the plants were transferred to soil potting and kept in culture chambers under the following conditions: temperature of 22–23 °C and two different concentrations of CO 2 (ambient CO 2 : 400 ppm and eCO 2 : 900 ppm).…”

“…Isomers were identified according to their relative retention times, i.e., elution order, and the combined use of their spectral data. The identifications were based on previously published data obtained with the same mobile phase (water/methanol/MTBE) and the same detection wavelength range [ 23 ].…”

“…These accessions were chosen because they represent a large part of the genetic diversity that is present in large fruit varieties. These genotypes are three parent germplasm of the “multiparent advanced generation intercross” (Magic) tomato population, which was designed for precise quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for geneticists and breeders [ 22 , 23 ].…”