Changes in potato tuber sugar metabolism in response to natural sprout suppressive compounds

The increased demand for potato by the Brazilian processing industry requires long term refrigerated storage, but after a few months, natural dormancy ends, and sprouts start to grow. Thus, sprout inhibitors are necessary to reduce the rate of growth and allow further storage. The purpose of research described here was to determine the effects clove and menthol essential oils have on the inhibition of sprout growth in non-dormant ‘Asterix’ tubers. Both eugenol and menthol treatments reduced the rate of sprout growth during storage at 8oC for up to 50 days. Eugenol and menthol essential oils diminished the rate of accumulation of reducing sugar, which are responsible for browning of French fries. Color after frying was within acceptable levels when the tubers were treated with eugenol or menthol essential oils.

Changes of Organoleptic Quality in Potato Tubers after Application of Natural Sprout Inhibitors

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the sensory properties of the table potato in relation to the use of natural sprout inhibitors during long-term storage. The material for the study consisted in four varieties of potato of the medium early group. The research was carried out in the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute – National Research Institute Branch in Jadwisin in 2014-2015. After harvest potatoes were stored from the end of October to April at 5°C, at the relative humidity of 90-95%, without application of natural sprout inhibitors (control) and using the natural sprout inhibitors (essential oils). After storage, the potatoes were boiled and sensory evaluation was carried out, which includes qualities such as: over-cooking of the surface, texture, mealiness, flesh texture, taste and smell. Study results showed that long-term storage of potatoes treated with natural sprout inhibitors – peppermint, caraway and clove essential oils is significant for the changes in overcooking the surface, structure of potatoes and mealiness of tubers after cooking. The taste and smell of potato tubers depended only on the variety.