Cold Induced Sweetening and Antioxidant Activity of Potato Genotypes During Cold Storage

Cold-induced sweetening (CIS) of potatoes is an industrial problem. Tuber antioxidant activity during cold storage may relate to CIS-resistance and quality storage but not well studied. CIS and antioxidant activity were measured in tubers of eleven potato genotypes during cold storage of four months. During first month, tubers were found to lose starch and produce CIS but improve starch later between 1-2 months. Loss of starch during first month was seen less and gain of starch between 1-2 months was seen high in CIS -resistant genotypes versus CIS-susceptible genotypes. Acid invertase activity increased during first month but this increase was related to CIS in CIS-susceptible genotypes as CIS-resistant genotypes also increased acid invertase. Redox state of ascorbate decreased and H2O2 increased during first month of storage and this change was related to CIS-susceptibility. Catalase and peroxidase levels at one month of storage related to CIS-resistance. During further storage, redox state of ascorbate decreased, H2O2/toxicity increased but tuber quality related to maintained antioxidant levels specially in the form of catalase. Results concluded that genotype with high tuber antioxidant activity may be beneficial for both CIS-resistance and quality storage.

Automated summary

This study investigated the changes in cold-induced sweetening (CIS) and antioxidant activity in potatoes during cold storage. The results showed that genotypes with high tuber antioxidant activity are beneficial for both CIS-resistance and quality storage.