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Research Project: IMPROVED PROCESSES FOR CUCUMBERS, CABBAGE, SWEETPOTATOES, AND PEPPERS TO MAKE HIGH QUALITY, NUTRITIOUS PRODUCTS AND REDUCE POLLUTION

Location: Food Science Research

Title: Variability of sugars in staple-type sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars: The effects of harvest time and storage

Authors
item Adu-Kwarteng, Evelyn -
item Sakyi-Dawson, Esther -
item Ayernor, George -
item Truong, Van-Den
item Shih, Frederick
item Daigle, Kim

Submitted to: International Journal of Food Properties
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 9, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sugar content in sweetpotato which varies among cultivars, agricultural conditions and postharvest handling practices is an important aspect of sweetpotato eating quality and processing characteristics. For fresh root markets, sweetness are usually preferred by consumers but the high level of sugars in sweetpotatoes is a drawback in processed products such as fries. Unlike potatoes, limited information is available on the effects of harvesting dates and storage on sugar content in sweetpotato roots. This study aimed to assess free sugar contents in sweetpotato roots at different levels of maturity and after 3 week storage under tropical conditions. The results indicated that harvest timing significantly affected soluble sugar contents measured at harvest and after short-term storage. Further evaluation on commercial cultivars in the U.S. needs to carry out in order to establish maturity index of sweetpotatoes that are grown for table stocks and processing industry.

Technical Abstract: Total soluble sugar (TSS) content and composition was studied by HPLC in four high dry-matter sweetpotato cultivars at 3, 4 and 5 months maturity. TSS consisted of sucrose, glucose and fructose, ranging from 4.10-10.82g/100g (dry-weight-basis). At harvest, there were significant differences in TSS due to maturity (p<0.001) and cultivar (p<0.05). Highest TSS contents were in 5 month samples at harvest (7.36-10.34g/100g) and 4 month samples after short-term storage under tropical ambient conditions (8.66-10.82g/100g). Estimated amylase enzyme activity varied significantly with harvest age (p<0.05). Although reducing sugar contents were low, fructose levels in 5 months samples increased considerably after storage.

   

 
Project Team
Truong, Van-Den
Perez Diaz, Ilenys
Johanningsmeier, Suzanne
Breidt, Frederick
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
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Last Modified: 05/24/2013
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