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Title: COLORIMETRIC AND CAROENTOID ANALYSES IN DIPLOID POTATOES

Author
item LU, WENHE - NORTHEAST AGR UNIV, CHINA
item Haynes, Kathleen
item Wiley, Eugene
item Clevidence, Beverly

Submitted to: Potato Association of America Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Yellow pigment in potato tuber flesh is caused by carotenoids which may protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease and macular eye degeneration. This research was carried out to identify and quantify the carotenoids in 11 diploid clones of Solanum phureja-S. stenotomum that produced >5% 2n pollen and two cultivars ('Yukon Gold' and 'Superior') and determine the relationship between tuber yellow intensity and carotenoid content. Carotenoid analyses were performed on an automated HPLC system with software for integration and quantitation with detection at 450 nm using a diode array detector. Six different carotenoids were detected: neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein-5, 6-epoxide, lutein, zeaxanthin, and an unknown carotenoid. The total carotenoid content in the yellow-flesh diploid clones was 3 to 13 times higher than 'Yukon Gold' and 4 to 23 times higher than 'Superior'. Total and individual carotenoids were positively correlated to tuber yellow intensity. This suggests that selecting for more intense yellow-flesh will result in higher levels of carotenoids. These potato clones have the potential to make significant contributions to improving the nutritional status of tetraploid potatoes.