THE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN COMPOUNDS FOUND IN TOMATO SEEDS AND RED BEETROOT COMPOSITION ON THE HUMAN BODY

ABSTRACT

This scientific and theoretical article identifies the concentration of water-soluble vitamins in tomato seeds (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Considering the significant biological importance of this vitamin complex, its potential application in the prevention of certain types of cancer and associated comorbidities is currently being investigated.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В данной научно-теоретической статье с помощью высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии (ВЭЖХ) было определено содержание водорастворимых витаминов в корнеплодах томата (Solanum lycopersicum L.) и свеклы (Beta vulgaris L.). Учитывая важное биологическое значение этого витаминного комплекса для организма, исследуется его потенциальное применение в профилактике некоторых видов рака и связанных с ним заболеваний.

Keywords: Tomato seeds, red beetroot, water-soluble vitamins, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), certain cancers.

Ключевые слова: Семена томатов, красная свекла, водорастворимые витамины, высокоэффективная жидкостная хроматография (ВЭЖХ), некоторые виды рака.

INTRODUCTION

Today, there is a growing global demand for food supplements containing biologically active compounds for the treatment and prevention of various cancer diseases. Special attention is being paid to the development of new food supplements based on local medicinal plants that contain compounds capable of inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, enhancing the regeneration of healthy tissues, and being safe for the human body [1].

One of the most pressing contemporary issues is the role of healthy nutrition in the treatment and prevention of various oncology diseases [2]. Consequently, scientific research is being conducted to utilize natural plant products—specifically tomato seeds and red beetroot—due to their high content of bioactive substances. These studies are focused on examining how the bioactive compounds within these plants maintain normal cellular function in the human body, thereby potentially reducing the risk of developing severe conditions such as cancer.

High-precision identification of bioactive natural compounds found in local plants and the evaluation of their effects on the human body, tissues, cells, and metabolism have led to several promising scientific results [3]. Based on ongoing research in this direction, we investigated a food supplement prepared from tomato seeds and red beetroot in a 1:3 ratio for the purpose of preventing and treating certain types of cancer.

Nature is a rich source of biologically active compounds synthesized by living organisms, many of which play a crucial role in the development of anticancer drugs [4]. Most anticancer drugs currently in use are chemically synthesized compounds with strong therapeutic effects but significant adverse side effects. Therefore, the pharmaceutical industry urgently needs new drugs with high efficacy and minimal toxicity for cancer and other severe diseases [5].

Modern synthetic drugs are effective in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation; however, their adverse effects often cause secondary diseases [6]. Plant-based food supplements containing natural polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, and vitamins possess strong antioxidant properties. These compounds help reduce oxidative stress during chemotherapy or radiotherapy and enhance the immune response of the body [7].

Based on the above considerations, research was conducted at the “Commodity Chemistry and Folk Medicine” Research Center of Andijan State University. A powdered composition of tomato seeds and red beetroot in a 1:3 ratio was prepared, and the content of water-soluble vitamins in the extract was determined using the HPLC method.

This paper presents the results of experimental laboratory studies conducted on compositions based on tomato seeds and red beetroot. However, as these findings have not yet been validated through clinical trials, their practical application and safety profiles remain subjects of ongoing scientific and practical investigation.

EXPERIMENTAL PART

I. Determination of Water-Soluble Vitamins in Tomato Seed and Red Beetroot Extract by HPLC

I.1. Reagents and Equipment.Vitamin B₁₂ (Rhydburg Pharmaceuticals, Germany), vitamin C (Carl Roth GmbH, Germany), vitamin B₉ (DSM Nutritional Products GmbH, Germany), and vitamins B₁, B₂, B₃, B₆, and PP (BLD Pharm, China) were used. HPLC-grade water, acetonitrile, chemically pure acetic acid, and sodium hydroxide were employed as reagents.

The analysis of water-soluble vitamins was performed using a Shimadzu LC-40 Nexera Lite high-performance liquid chromatograph (Japan) [9].

I.2. Preparation of Standard Solutions. Standard solutions (100 mg/L) of vitamins C (CAS 50-81-7), B₁ (CAS 59-43-8), B₆ (CAS 58-56-0), B₃ (CAS 59-67-6), B₁₂ (CAS 68-19-9), and PP (CAS 98-92-0) were prepared by dissolving 5 mg of each vitamin in 50 mL of 0.1 N HCl. Standard solutions of vitamins B₂ (CAS 83-88-5) and B₉ (CAS 59-30-3) were prepared by dissolving 5 mg of each vitamin in 50 mL of 0.025% sodium hydroxide solution.

Aliquots of 200 μL from the initial solutions of vitamins B₁, B₆, B₃, B₁₂, and PP were mixed to obtain a solution with a concentration of 14.286 mg/L for each vitamin. Further dilutions of 7.143, 3.571, and 1.786 mg/L were prepared. Vitamin C standard solutions with concentrations of 286, 143, 71.5, and 57.2 mg/L were also prepared. Pure water was used as a 0 mg/L standard for calibration curves.

I.3. Preparation of Sample Extract. One gram of the test sample was placed in a 50 mL conical flask, and 25 mL of 0.1 N HCl was added. The mixture was extracted in a GT SONIC-D3 ultrasonic bath (China) at 60 °C for 20 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and diluted to 25 mL with water. A 1.5 mL aliquot was filtered through a 0.22 μm syringe filter, transferred into a vial, and used for analysis.

II. CHROMATOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS

II.1. Identification of vitamins. Analyses were performed using an LC-40 Nexera Lite HPLC system equipped with an LC-40D pump, SIL-40 autosampler, SPD-M40 photodiode array detector (PDA), and LabSolutions software version 6.92. A Shim-pack GIST C18 reverse-phase column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm, Shimadzu, Japan) was used.

The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (A) and 0.25% aqueous acetic acid (B) with a gradient program (Table 1). The injection volume was 10 μL, flow rate 0.6 mL/min, and column temperature 40 °C. Detection was carried out at wavelengths of 265, 291, and 550 nm. Vitamin C was analyzed using a 15-minute gradient (Table 2) with detection at 265 nm.

Table 1.

Vitamins in the mobile phase program.

Table 2.

Gradient program of the mobile phase used for the determination of Vitamin C content

Figure 1. Chromatography of a standard solution of vitamins

Figure 2. Chromatogram of the standard Vitamin C solution

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Previous studies by Russian researchers led by L.A. Bagdanova developed HPLC methodologies for determining water-soluble vitamins in premixes with acceptable analytical accuracy (relative error up to 10%) [9, 10]. A.V. Pirogov and colleagues at Moscow State University developed a method for the simultaneous determination of 14 water-soluble vitamins using HPLC [11].

In the present study, we successfully determined the content of water-soluble vitamins in an extract of tomato seeds and red beetroot (1:3 ratio) cultivated under the climatic conditions of Andijan region, Republic of Uzbekistan.

Obtained Results and Discussions.

Determination of vitamins in the sample extract.

The chromatogram of the sample extract (Figures 3–4) was obtained and analysed. Based on these results, the amount of vitamins contained in 100 g of the sample was calculated according to the following formula, and the results are presented in

X -amount of vitamins contained in 100 g of the sample, mg;
C_vit -concentration of the vitamin in the extract determined by the HPLC method,mg/L;
V_extr -volume of the sample extract, L;
m_extr -mass of the sample taken for extract preparation, g.

 Figure 3.Chromatogram of the determination of vitamins in the sample extract

Figure 4.Chromatogram for determining the Vitamin C content in the sample extract

 Table 3.

 Vitamin contents in the extracts

Plant-derived biologically active substances play a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening human health. Vitamins regulate metabolic processes, enhance immune function, strengthen antioxidant defense, and maintain cellular stability [12].

In the present study, we successfully determined the content of water-soluble vitamins in an extract of tomato seeds and red beetroot (1:3 ratio) cultivated under the climatic conditions of Andijan region, Republic of Uzbekistan. Based on chromatographic analysis, seven vitamins were identified. Vitamins PP, B₆, B₂, B₁, and C showed pronounced peaks. Vitamin B₁₂ was not detected, indicating its absence in the sample extract [13].

 Scientific research in modern biology and biochemistry shows that plant-derived vitamins are better tolerated by the body and do not cause toxic effects compared to synthetic drugs [14].

CONCLUSION

 The vitamin profile of the aqueous extract of tomato seeds and red beetroot was determined using the HPLC method. According to the analysis, the presence of Vitamin PP (Niacin) and members of the Vitamin B family was confirmed. It should be noted that the composition prepared from these products has not undergone clinical testing; thus, the conclusions regarding its vitamin-related effects on the human body are considered preliminary, based solely on laboratory data and theoretical research. Consequently, validating these conclusions through clinical practice remains a critical task for future research.

Based on laboratory analysis, it has been theoretically theorized that decoctions prepared from this composition may assist in strengthening the immune system, alleviating negative effects following chemotherapy and radiotherapy, preventing certain types of cancer, promoting healthy cell regeneration, and increasing resistance to infections such as the common cold. Although these effects have not yet been confirmed in clinical trials, they have been analyzed through the lens of theoretical data.

The Vitamin B complex, Vitamin PP, and Vitamin C identified in tomato seeds, combined with the vitamins in red beetroot, are theoretically proposed to possess the potential to prevent cancer and support antioxidant defense mechanisms in the body as bioactive components. However, existing conclusions linking this food supplement to the management of specific cancers rely strictly on laboratory and theoretical data and lack clinical validation. Therefore, evaluating these results in a clinical context and developing practical recommendations based on them is a priority for subsequent scientific studies.

In conclusion, theoretical and scientific data suggest that the vitamin complex found in tomato seeds and red beetroot enhances the human body's defense system and boosts immunity. Furthermore, the synergy of these bioactive substances is considered beneficial for overall human health based on the current theoretical framework.

References:

1. Asqarov, I.R. “Sirli tabobat.” Uzbekistan Academy of Traditional Medicine, Tashkent, 2021, p. 571.
2. Asqarov, I.R., Abdullayev, O.Sh., Mamasoliyev, N.S., Nuritdinov, R., Mo‘minjonov, M.M., Mamarahmonov, M.X. “Tovarlar kimyosi va xalq tabobati” Journal, 1(1), 2022, p. 9.
3. Asqarov, I.R., Komilova, H.B. “Xalq tabobati plus,” No. 1(22), 2025, p. 2.
4. Toshmurodov, M.B., Ibragimov, N.G‘., Mustafakulov, M.A. “Biotechnological production of bioactive compounds.”Prospects and Problems of Biotechnology Development, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15270285
5. Н.Ф.Гусев, А.В.Филиппова, Г.В.Петрова, О.Н.Немерешина Перспективы использования лекарстввенных растений в современной России//Известия Оренбургского государственного аграрного университета. 2014. №2.c.167-2. Реинер Z. эт ал. Тхе эар ин сардиологй 2018:превентион//Eypoпеан Хеарт Жоурнал.-2019.-T.40.-№4.-C.336-344.
6. Jo‘rayev, M.D., Karimova, M.N., O‘lmasov, F.G‘. “Oncology.” Textbook for 5th-year medical and pedagogical students. ARTexPublishing, Samarkand, 2022, p. 16.
7. Kamolova, Z.A. “Xalqtabobati plus,” Scientific and Practical Journal, No. 1(22), 2025, p. 5.
8. Asqarov, I.R., Abdullayev, S.S., Mamatqulova, S.A., Abdulloyev, O.S., Abdulloyev, S.X. “Determination of Water-Soluble Vitamins Using the HPLC Method (Example of ChilonJiyda).”Fergana State University Journal, 30(5), 2024, p. 61. Retrieved from https://journal.fdu.uz/index.php/sjfsu/article/view/4679
9. Определитель растений Средней Азии (критический конспект флоры): Т.11:справочник/составители: Ф.О.Хасанов, [и др.]. АН РУз, Инс-т геофонда растительного и живтного мира. –Ташкент: Фан, 2015.-456 с.
10. Растительный покров Узбекистана и пути его рационального использования, -Ташкент:<Фан>УзССР. 1976. T. III.-C. 145-149.
11. Васильченко И.Т. Определитель всходов сорных растений, Издательство колос, Ленинград – 1965 г – 434 с. Государственный каталог пестицидов и агрохимикатов, разрешенных к применению на территории Российской Федерации, 2017 год.Министерство сельского хозяйства Российской Федерации (Минсельхоз России).
12. Allaberganova, G.A. “Prospects for the Development of Science in Uzbekistan.”InternationalScientific-PracticalConference, 30 Nov 2022. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7358563
13. Zailaie M.Z. The effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the release rates of leukotrienes B4 and C4 from cultured skin melanocytes of active vitiligo. Saudi Med. J. 2004; 25(10): 1439 44
14. N.M.Eshchanova. “Oriental Renaissance: Innovative, educational, natural and social sciences” SJIF 2024=7.404 / ASI Factor = 1.7 (E) ISSN: N2181-1784 4 (3), March.,2024 www.oriens.uz