Phytochemical Screening, GCMS and FTIR Profile of Bioactive Compounds in Solanum lycopersicum Wild Fruits collected from Palani Hill Ranges of the Western Ghats

Tomatoes are consumed worldwide as fresh vegetables because of their high contents of essential nutrients and antioxidant-rich phytochemicals. Tomatoes contain minerals, vitamins, proteins, essential amino acids (Leucine, Threonine, Valine, Histidine, Lysine, Arginine), monounsaturated fatty acids (Linoleic and Linolenic Acids), Carotenoids (Lycopene and β-Carotenoids) and Phytosterols (β-Sitosterol, Campesterol and Stigmasterol). GCMS analysis revealed the presence of 3-methylheptane, Ethylcyclohexane, 2-Methyl-4,6-octadiyn-3-one, 5,6-Dimethylundecane, (3E)3-Hexen-2-one, 2,2-Dimethylbutane, 1,2-Diphenyl-1-butanone, Isopropylbenzene (2-phenylpropane), 3,5-Dimethyloctane, 2-Phenyl-3-buten-1-ol, 2,4,4-Trimethylhexane, Benzoylcarboxaldehyde (Phenylglyoxal), Cis-3-Methyl-Endo-Tricyclo [5.2.1.0(2.6)] Decane, 2,4-Dimethylhexan-3-One, Benzene acetic acid,2-phenylethyl ester, Cyclopentacycloheptene, 2,3-Heptanedione, 1,6-Methano[10] annulene, 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid, methyl ester, N,N-Dimethylmethanesulfonamide, Methyl tridecanoate, Cis 9-Octadecanoic acid, Methyl 15-methylheptadecanoate, 9-Octadecenoic acid, Methyl (Z)-octadec-9-enoate, (Z)-octadec-9-enamide, Methyl 2-ethyl-2-methylicosanoate, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a-tetradecahydrobenzo [10] annulene Caffeic acid, Catechin, Chlorogenic acid, Chrysin, Cinnamic acid, Epicatechin, Ferulic acid, Kaempferol, Luteolin, Lycopene, Naringenin, P-coumaric acid, Phloretic acid, Quercetin, Resveratrol, Rutin, Sinapic acid, Vanillic acid. Lycopene, the main dietary carotenoid in tomato and tomato-based food products and lycopene consumption by humans has been reported to protect against Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cognitive function and Osteoporosis. Among phenolic compounds present in tomato, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Naringenin, Caffeic Acid and Lutein are the most common. These compounds have significant antioxidant properties and are effective in protecting human body against oxidative stress-related diseases. Keywords: Solanum lycopersicum; Phytochemical Screening; GCMS; FTIR