Does Seawater Improve a Tomato's Antioxidant Punch?

Hi Guys,
Wow! Having read this and living with the sea just meters from my front door, as well as being on grade 5 water restrictions (South East Queensland), I think I will be collecting a bucket of sea water tomorrow for my tomato plants. Apart from the fact that tomato's contain beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and lycopene, I'm told they are especially good as an anti-cancer agent when in the cooked, or processed (tomato sauce), state.

This item taken from the Science and Nutrition Research Newsletter, http://www.foodnavigator.com which is published by:
http://www.decisionnewsmedia.com/


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Does seawater improve a tomato's antioxidant punch?

By Stephen Daniells

16/03/2007- Growing tomatoes in diluted seawater significantly increased the levels of antioxidant vitamins C and E, says new research from Italy.

The research, focusing on standard 'salad' tomatoes and varieties genetically engineered for ripening, suggests opportunities for antioxidant-enhanced fruit and extracts produced in parts of the world with critical water shortages.

"The controlled use of alternative water resources, such as diluted seawater, could be a valid tool to face drought in the Mediterranean region," wrote the authors, led by Riccardo Izzo, in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.