ARS | Publication request: Folate in potato tubers: effects of genotype, location, storage, and development

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2007
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Folates (vitamin B9) are essential micronutrients in the human diet. Deficiency in folate intake is a leading cause of birth defects and is implicated in several other diseases. As the fourth most consumed staple food in the world and the most consumed vegetable in the West, potato is a logical target to be developed as a significant source of dietary folate. Currently, very little is known about how much folate concentrations vary amongst potato lines. Therefore, we determined total folate concentrations of potato tubers from 67 cultivars, advanced breeding lines, or wild species. Folates were extracted by a tri-enzyme treatment and analyzed by using a Lactobacillus rhamnosus microbiological assay. Folate concentrations varied from 521 ± 96 to 1373 ± 230 ng/g dry weight and were genotype and location dependent. The highest folate concentrations were mostly found in color-fleshed potatoes. Variations of folate concentrations within either color- or white-fleshed tubers were similar (~2-fold). Skin contained ~30% higher folate concentrations than flesh. Storage of tubers for seven months generally led to an increase in folate contents. A two-fold decrease in folates concentrations during tuber development suggested that consumption of new potatoes may lead to a higher folate intake.