Tomato

BOTANY

Solanum lycopersicum L. is an annual herb, member of family Solanaceae; this plant is native to
America.

Tomato plant has decumbent stems, which bend under the weight of secondary branches, leaves and
fruits; therefore, these plants usually grow on other plants or structures. Tomato stems and leaves are
covered with hairs (trichomes). The leaves are 10-25 cm long, pinnate, composed of 5-9 leaflets each
leaflet 8 cm long), margins serrate. The stem and leaves are highly vascularized. The first 30 cm of roots
are densely ramified. This root system is called tap root. Tomato flowers are hermaphrodite, 1-2 cm, with
five lobed corollas, bright yellow in almost every tomato species; they appear in clusters of 3 to 12
flowers, separated by 3 leaves.

S.lycopersicum is grown worldwide because of its edible fruits, known as tomatoes. These fruits are
slightly acid and brightly-colored berries, color ranging from yellowish to red, due to the presence of
pigments lycopene and carotene. Wild tomatoes are 1-2 cm in diameter; cultivated varieties are much
larger. This fruit contains a large number of seeds, embedded in a slimy jelly-like pulp. The pulp contains
much water and is very tasty and easy to eat. Tomato plants thrive in fertile, humid, organic soils.

Tomato extract is produced from the fruits of Solanum lycopersicum L.

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CHEMISTRY

Besides water, the major constituents of tomatoes are carbohydrates which give tomatoes a slight
sweetness and some organic acids, which give them a typical taste. Citric and malic acids are the most
abundant acids, although some other acids such as acetic, formic, lactic and fumaric have been found.
Tomato is a major source of certain minerals such as potassium and magnesium. Vitamins in tomatoes
include: vitamin C, thiamin (vitamin B1) and nicotinic acid (vitamin B3). This fruit also contains
carotenoids such as lycopene (a pigment that gives tomato its typical red color); flavonoids and other
polyphenols such as naringenin and quercetin; and p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and chlorogenic acids.

Constituents Content (per 100 g)

Water (g) 94.7
Protein (g) 1.0
Fat (g) 0.1
Fiber (g) 1.6
Carbohydrates (g)
Glucose 0.9
Fructose 1.0
Organic acids (g)
Citric 0.43
Malic 0.08
Vitamins (mg)
Vitamin C 18
Thiamin 0.04
Riboflavin 0.02
Nicotinic acid 0.7
-carotene (equivalent) 0.34
Minerals (mg)
Potassium 200
Sodium 6
Calcium 8
Magnesium 10
Iron 0.3
Zinc 0.2

Table 1. Chemical composition of tomato (Madhavi & Salunke, 1998).

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TRADITIONAL USES

Tomato is widely used in cosmetics, especially in home treatments, as a

cleansing, refreshing and revitalizing agent. It is used to reduce eye bags,
an action attributed to tomatos vitamin C and flavonoids (the later
compounds strengthen blood capillaries). Tomato has been attributed skin
cleansing and rejuvenating properties. It is included in face masks aimed at
removing dead cells, because it contains -hydroxyacids. It is also
habitually used to soothe the skin after sunbath and to heal wounds and
sores.

COSMETIC PROPERTIES

Humectant activity and regulation of transepidermal water loss (TEWL)

This activity is due to the carbohydrate, -hydroxyacids (AHA) and vitamin contents of tomato.
Carbohydrates are active principles extensively used in cosmetics. Monosaccharides are hygroscopic,
namely they adsorb water thus contributing to keep a healthy moisture level in the horny layer.
Oligosaccharides have the same property. These active compounds build hydrogen bonds, prevent
massive water loss and reduce dehydration. Additionally, some of these compounds make a protective
coat on the skin, thus preventing and slowing down transepidermal water loss.

AHAs are a special group of organic acids, which have a hydroxyl group on carbon of the molecule.
This group includes: citric, malic, glycolic, lactic, pyruvic and other acids, which can be found in a
number of natural products such as fruits and vegetables. AHAs are being used in cosmetics since the
nineties, and number of efficacy tests supports the cosmetic and dermatological applications of these
compounds (Kale PN. & Adsule PG., 1995).

These active principles reduce inter-corneocyte junctions, soften intercellular cement and facilitate
exfoliation. At lower concentrations, they facilitate moisturizing, at higher concentrations, they act as
exfoliating agents.

AHAs chemical structure, with several hydroxyl groups, allows for higher water absorption and retention
power. In this way, these hygroscopic compounds enhance skin moisturizing and strengthen the skin
barrier function (Carbajo Espejo JM et al, 2004).

Thus, tomato extract is recommended to formulate cosmetic products with moisturizing action.

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Stimulation of corneocyte turnover

This activity is due to the -hydroxyacids

(AHA) content in tomato.

AHAs act at the horny layer level. These

acids act on corneocyte cohesion in the
deepest skin layers, thus promoting
turnover in the horny layer and
enhancing flexibility in the skin surface.
This action was discovered when the
effects of topical treatments with AHAs
on ichthyoids was being studied. AHAs
were also found to affect any
hyperkeratinization process (Van Scott E.J. et al., 1984).

The mechanism of action of these acids is not fully understood. Different theories have been proposed to
explain their action.

The earliest theory proposes that AHAs impairing effects on corneocyte cohesion is mainly due to their
action on intercellular ionic bonds (Berardesca E. & Maibach H., 1995). Corneocytes are bound together
through covalent (disulfide bonds) and non-covalent bonds; the later ones include ionic bonds,
established between negatively charged groups (such as phosphate, sulphate, carboxyl) and positively
charged groups (amine groups). AHAs effects would thus be based on their ability to inhibit certain
enzymes involved in the formation of phosphate and sulphate groups in the cellular walls. AHAs might
compete with sulphate and phosphate for the sulphotransferase and phosphotransferase enzymes,
which are involved in the formation of mucopolysaccharides, phospholipids, sterols and glycoproteins.
Some AHAs inhibit certain phosphotransferases and specific kinases. For example, citric acid inhibits the
glucose-6-phosphotransferase and the phosphofructokinase enzymes. Additionally, AHAs may also act
as substrates that accept phosphate groups, yielding phosphorylated alpha-hydroxyacids in certain
metabolic pathways.

More recently, Wang (1999) proposed another model to explain their action mechanism. AHAs have
been observed to act on calcium, which is essential to build most of the intercellular joints and to
maintain their structural integrity. It has been found that AHAs reduce the calcium concentration in the
epidermis and that calcium gets eliminated from the intercellular joints by chelation. The resulting drop in
calcium concentration brings about cellular decohesion and desquamation. This effect is reinforced by
the action of epidermal proteolytic enzymes.

Thus, tomato extract is recommended to formulate cosmetic products with exfoliating action.

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 Antioxidant action

Because of its phenolic compounds, vitamin C and nicotinic

acid contents, tomato is an antioxidant vegetable, which can
neutralize free radicals and provide defense against cell
structures degradation.

Phenolic compounds exert their antioxidant action in different

ways (Beltrn, I., 2003):

By scavenging free radicals and reducing the

generation of these compounds.

By their ability to inhibit, activate or protect specific

enzymes in the organism.

By reducing the consumption of own antioxidants like

vitamin E and carotenoids.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant with radical scavenging

activity, very useful in the treatment of photoaging. This vitamin
has photoprotective properties similar to those of vitamin E, and it is able to neutralize free radicals
generated by UVB radiation. Studies evidenced reduction of UV-induced erythema after a treatment with
vitamin C, alone or in combination with vitamin E (Chiu A. & Kimball AB., 2003).

Nicotinic acid also has antioxidant activity. Studies report beneficial effects of topical nicotinic acid for
prevention of skin collagen loss associated to photoaging, and for reduction of acne problems. Recent
studies report novel beneficial actions for topical nicotinic acid on aged skin, such as enhancement of the
skin barrier function, reduction of photoaging signs (spots, redness, etc) and reduction of sebum
production (Bissett D.L. et al., 2004).

Thus, Tomato extract is useful to formulate cosmetic products for the protection of skin and hair against
oxidative processes.

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COSMETIC APPLICATIONS

Action Active Cosmetic application

Carbohydrates
TEWL regulation AHA Moisturizing
Vitamins

Cell renewal stimulation AHA Exfoliant

Anti-aging
Phenolic compounds
Antioxidant Photoprotection
Vitamins
Hair color protection

RECOMMENDED DOSE

The recommended dose is between 0.5% and 5.0%.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Beltrn, I. Polifenoles y xantinas: su aplicacin en obesidad. Acvtividad Diettica, 2003; 19: 10-16.

Berardesca E. & Maibach H. AHA mechanisms of action. Cosmetics Toiletries, 1995; 110 (6): 30-31
(ref. 1327).

Bissett D.L. et al. Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented
spots in aging facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci, 2004; 26: 231-282.

Carbajo Espejo JM, Ruiz manso R, del To Moreno R. Hidratacin cutnea (y II). AULAdelafarmacia,
2004 p: 62-72.

Chiu A. & Kimball AB. Topical vitamins, minerals and botanical ingredients as modulators of
enviromental and chronological skin damage. Br J Dermatol., 2003; 149: 681-691.

Kale PN. & Adsule PG. Citrus In Handbook of Fruit Science and Technology. Production, Composition,
Storage, and Processing. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1995; 39-65 (ref. 641* SAL).

Madhavi & Salunkhe Tomato In Handbook of Vegetable Science and Technology. Production,
Composition, Storage, and Processing. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1998; p: 171-201 (ref. 641*
SAL).

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Van Scott EJ, Yu RJ. Hyperkeratinization, corneocyte cohesin, and alpha- hydroxy acids.J. Am. Acad.
Dermatol. 11, 867-879, 1984.

Wang X. A theory for the mechanism of action of the -hydroxy acids applied to the skin. Medica
Hypotheses, 1999; 53 (5): 380-382. (ref. 4261).

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