*2.7. Color*

The color profiles of tomatoes were determined using the color reader Konica Minolta CR-10 (Konica Minolta, Osaka, Japan). The results were expressed as lightness (L\*), redness (a\*), yellowness (b\*), hue (◦h), and chroma (C).

### *2.8. Hardness*

The hardness of the tomato was measured using texture profile analyzer equipment (TA-XT Plus, Stable Micro Systems Ltd, Surrey, United Kingdom) [22]. The probe used was a cylindrical probe with a diameter of 36 mm. The hardness of the sample was determined as the highest peak identified from the curve produced by the equipment. The result was expressed as Force (N).
