Transcriptome, hormonal, and secondary metabolite changes in leaves of DEFENSE NO DEATH 1 (DND1) silenced potato plants.

DEFENSE NO DEATH 1 (DND1) is a cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel protein. Earlier, it was shown that the silencing of DND1 in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leads to resistance to late blight, powdery mildew, and gray mold diseases. At the same time, however, it can reduce plant growth and cause leaf necrosis. To obtain knowledge of the molecular events behind the pleiotropic effect of DND1 downregulation in the potato, metabolite and transcriptome analyses were performed on three DND1 silenced lines of the cultivar 'Désirée.' A massive increase in the salicylic acid content of leaves was detected. Concentrations of jasmonic acid and chlorogenic acid and their derivatives were also elevated. Expression of 1866 genes was altered in the same way in all three DND1 silenced lines, including those related to the synthesis of secondary metabolites. The activation of several alleles of leaf rust, late blight, and other disease resistance genes, as well as the induction of pathogenesis-related genes, was detected. WRKY and NAC transcription factor families were upregulated, whereas bHLHs were downregulated, indicating their central role in transcriptome changes. These results suggest that the maintenance of the constitutive defense state leads to the reduced growth of DND1 silenced potato plants.

The impact of Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of genes encoding potato starch-branching enzymes on starch structural properties and in vitro digestibility.

The digestibility of starch is affected by amylose content, and increasing amylopectin chain length which can be manipulated by alterations to genes encoding starch-branching enzymes (SBEs). We investigated the impact of Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of SBEs in potato on starch structural properties and digestibility. Four potato starches with edited SBE genes were tested. One lacked SBE1 and SBE2, two lacked SBE2 and had reduced SBE1, and one had reduced SBE2 only. Starch structure and thermal properties were characterised by DSC and XRD. The impact of different thermal treatments on digestibility was studied using an in vitro digestion protocol. All native potato starches were resistant to digestion, and all gelatinised starches were highly digestible. SBE modified starches had higher gelatinisation temperatures than wild type potatoes and retrograded more rapidly. Gelatinisation and 18 h of retrogradation, increased gelatinisation enthalpy, but this did not translate to differences in digestion. Following 7 days of retrogradation, starch from three modified SBE starch lines was less digestible than starch from wild-type potatoes, likely due to the recrystallisation of the long amylopectin chains. Our results indicate that reductions in SBE in potato may be beneficial to health by increasing the amount of fibre reaching the colon after retrogradation.

Acrylamide in alternative snacks to potato: A review.

The snack food market has been changing to keep up with the growing demand for healthier products and, as a result, alternative products to traditional potato chips have been emerging to provide health-related benefits. Extrusion, frying, and baking are the main techniques used worldwide in the processing of snacks and are among the main reasons for the formation of toxic compounds induced by heat, such as acrylamide. This contaminant is formed during thermal processing in foods heated at high temperatures and rich in carbohydrates. Processed potato-based products have been pointed out as the main contributors to acrylamide dietary exposure. Many studies have been conducted on potato chips since the discovery of this contaminant in foods and research on the formation of acrylamide in snacks from other vegetables has begun to be conducted more recently. Thus, this review aims to present a detailed discussion on the occurrence of acrylamide in alternative vegetable snacks that are consumed as being healthier and to address relevant questions about the effectiveness of mitigation strategies that have been developed for these products. Through this research, it was observed that, depending on the vegetable, the levels of this contaminant can be quite variable. Alternative snacks, such as sweet potato, carrot and beetroot may also contain high levels of acrylamide and need to be monitored even more closely than potatoes snacks, as less information is available on these food products. Furthermore, various pretreatments (e.g. bleaching, immersion in solutions containing chemical substances) and processing conditions (heating methods, time, temperature) can reduce the formation of acrylamide (54-99 %) in alternative vegetable snacks.

The emulsifying capacity and stability of potato proteins and peptides: A comprehensive review.

The potato has recently attracted more attention as a promising protein source. Potato proteins are commonly extracted from potato fruit juice, a byproduct of starch production. Potato proteins are characterized by superior techno-functional properties, such as water solubility, gel-forming, emulsifying, and foaming properties. However, commercially isolated potato proteins are often denatured, leading to a loss of these functionalities. Extensive research has explored the influence of different conditions and techniques on the emulsifying capacity and stability of potato proteins. However, there has been no comprehensive review of this topic yet. This paper aims to provide an in-depth overview of current research progress on the emulsifying capacity and stability of potato proteins and peptides, discussing research challenges and future perspectives. This paper discusses genetic diversity in potato proteins and various methods for extracting proteins from potatoes, including thermal and acid precipitation, salt precipitation, organic solvent precipitation, carboxymethyl cellulose complexation, chromatography, and membrane technology. It also covers enzymatic hydrolysis for producing potato-derived peptides and methods for identifying potato protein-derived emulsifying peptides. Furthermore, it reviews the influence of factors, such as physicochemical properties, environmental conditions, and food-processing techniques on the emulsifying capacity and stability of potato proteins and their derived peptides. Finally, it highlights chemical modifications, such as acylation, succinylation, phosphorylation, and glycation to enhance emulsifying capacity and stability. This review provides insight into future research directions for utilizing potato proteins as sustainable protein sources and high-value food emulsifiers, thereby contributing to adding value to the potato processing industry.

Potential of kaempferol and caffeic acid to mitigate salinity stress and improving potato growth.

Salinity stress adversely affects plant growth by disrupting water uptake, inducing ion toxicity, initiating osmotic stress, impairing growth, leaf scorching, and reducing crop yield. To mitigate this issue, the application of kaempferol (KP), caffeic acid (CA), and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) emerges as a promising technology. Kaempferol, a flavonoid, protects plants from oxidative stress, while caffeic acid, a plant-derived compound, promotes growth by regulating physiological processes. PGPR enhances plant health and productivity through growth promotion, nutrient uptake, and stress mitigation, providing a sustainable solution. However, combining these compounds against drought requires further scientific justification. That's why the current study was conducted using 4 treatments, i.e., 0, 20 µM KP, 30 µM CA, and 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA without and with PGPR (Bacillus altitudinis). There were 4 replications following a completely randomized design. Results showed that 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA with PGPR caused significant enhancement in potato stem length (14.32%), shoot root, and leaf dry weight (16.52%, 11.04%, 67.23%), than the control. The enrichment in potato chlorophyll a, b, and total (31.86%, 46.05%, and 35.52%) was observed over the control, validating the potential of 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA + PGPR. Enhancement in shoot N, P, K, and Ca concentration validated the effective functioning of 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA with PGPR evaluated to control. In conclusion, 20 µM KP + 30 µM CA with PGPR is the recommended amendment to alleviate salinity stress in potatoes.

Study on the preservation effect of 60Co-γ ray irradiation on potatoes.

To evaluate the effect of irradiation on the preservation of potatoes, fresh potatoes were selected as the irradiation objects, and irradiated with 60Co-γ radiation source for 0, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 Gy, respectively. During the irradiation, the well-packaged Y1.79Bi0.01Eu0.2MgTiO6 novel thermoluminescence dosimeter material was placed together with the potatoes at the same position. Then, the potatoes were stored in the same temperature and humidity environment, and the quality changes of the potatoes were observed. The Y1.79Bi0.01Eu0.2MgTiO6 material had good performance indicators, and was used to measure the irradiation dose of the potatoes. The experiment showed that irradiation could appropriately extend the storage time of potatoes, and gamma irradiation of about 1000 Gy could achieve the best preservation effect. The main pathogenic fungi that cause dry rot of potatoes were Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum, and the appropriate dose of 60Co-γ irradiation could effectively inhibit the spread and growth of these fungi.

Effect of silver nanoparticles foliar application on the nutritional properties of potato tubers.

The aim of presented study was to test nutritional properties of potato tubers and silver ions accumulation pattern after foliar application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) during potato vegetation. Potato plants were sprayed with different concentration of Ag nanoparticles (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg·dm-3) synthesized with incorporation with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium citrate as stabilizing agent. The lowest amounts of silver ions were transported to the tubers after spraying with AgNPs synthesized with SDS, rather than with citrate. Nevertheless silver ions accumulation in tubers was negligible. SDS method of synthesis was more favourable in terms of nutritional properties of potato tubers. The highest tested concentration of AgNPs_SDS had a favourable effect on a variety of macro- and micronutrients, ascorbic acid and soluble sugars. In turn, lower concentrations of AgNPs_SDS increased the content of phenolic compounds and free radical scavenging efficiency of tubers. These correlations were also confirmed by Principal Component Analysis.

Understanding starch biosynthesis in potatoes for metabolic engineering to improve starch quality: A detailed review.

Potato tubers accumulate substantial quantities of starch, which serves as their primary energy reserve. As the predominant component of potato tubers, starch strongly influences tuber yield, processing quality, and nutritional attributes. Potato starch is distinguished from other food starches by its unique granule morphology and compositional attributes. It possesses large, oval granules with amylose content ranging from 20 to 33 % and high phosphorus levels, which collectively determine the unique physicochemical characteristics. These physicochemical properties direct the utility of potato starch across diverse food and industrial applications. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular factors controlling potato starch biosynthesis and structure-function relationships. Key topics covered are starch granule morphology, the roles and regulation of major biosynthetic enzymes, transcriptional and hormonal control, genetic engineering strategies, and opportunities to tailor starch functionality. Elucidating the contributions of different enzymes in starch biosynthesis has enabled targeted modification of potato starch composition and properties. However, realizing the full potential of this knowledge faces challenges in optimizing starch quality without compromising plant vigor and yield. Overall, integrating multi-omics datasets with advanced genetic and metabolic engineering tools can facilitate the development of elite cultivars with enhanced starch yield and tailored functionalities.

Transcriptome analysis unravels the biocontrol mechanism of Serratia plymuthica A30 against potato soft rot caused by Dickeya solani.

Endophytic bacterium Serratia plymuthica A30 was identified as a superior biocontrol agent due to its effective colonization of potato tuber, tolerance to cold conditions, and strong inhibitory action against various soft rot pathogens, including Dickeya solani. We characterized transcriptome changes in potato tubers inoculated with S. plymuthica A30, D. solani, or both at the early and the late phases of interaction. At the early phase and in the absence of the pathogen, A30 influenced the microbial recognition system to initiate plant priming. In the presence of the pathogen alongside biocontrol strain, defense signaling was highly stimulated, characterized by the induction of genes involved in the detoxification system, reinforcement of cell wall structure, and production of antimicrobial metabolites, highlighting A30's role in enhancing the host resistance against pathogen attack. This A30-induced resistance relied on the early activation of jasmonic acid signaling and its production in tubers, while defense signaling mediated by salicylic acid was suppressed. In the late phase, A30 actively interferes with plant immunity by inhibiting stress- and defense-related genes expression. Simultaneously, the genes involved in cell wall remodeling and indole-3-acetic acid signaling were activated, thereby enhancing cell wall remodeling to establish symbiotic relationship with the host. The endophytic colonization of A30 coincided with the induction of genes involved in the biosynthesis and signaling of ethylene and abscisic acid, while downregulating those related to gibberellic acid and cytokinin. This combination suggested fitness benefits for potato tubers by preserving dormancy, and delaying sprouting, which affects durability of tubers during storage. This study contributes valuable insights into the tripartite interaction among S. plymuthica A30, D. solani, and potato tubers, facilitating the development of biocontrol system for soft rot pathogens under storage conditions.

Long intergenic non-coding RNAs modulate proximal protein-coding gene expression and tolerance to Candidatus Liberibacter spp. in potatoes.

Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) are emerging as regulators of protein-coding genes (PCGs) in many plant and animal developmental processes and stress responses. In this study, we characterize the genome-wide lincRNAs in potatoes responsive to a vascular bacterial disease presumably caused by Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso). Approximately 4397 lincRNAs were detected in healthy and infected potato plants at various stages of zebra chip (ZC) disease progression. Of them, ~65% (2844) were novel lincRNAs, and less than 1% (9) were orthologs of Arabidopsis and rice based on reciprocal BLAST analysis, suggesting species-specific expansion. Among the proximal lincRNAs within 50 kbp from a PCG, ~49% were transcribed from the same strand, while ~39% and ~15% followed convergent (head-to-head) and divergent (tail-to-tail) orientations, respectively. Approximately 30% (1308) were differentially expressed following CLso infection, with substantial changes occurring 21 days after infection (DAI). Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) of lincRNAs and PCGs identified 46 highly correlated lincRNA-PCG pairs exhibiting co-up or co-downregulation. Furthermore, overexpression of selected lincRNAs in transgenic potato hairy roots resulted in perturbation of neighboring PCG expression and conferred tolerance to CLso infection. Our results provide novel insights into potato lincRNAs' identity, expression dynamics, and functional relevance to CLso infection.

Phenazines are involved in the antagonism of a novel subspecies of Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain S1Bt23 against Pythium ultimum.

Long-term use of chemical fungicides to control plant diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes has led to pathogen resistance and negative impacts on public health and environment. There is a global search for eco-friendly methods and antagonistic bacteria are emerging as alternatives. We isolated a potent antagonistic bacterial strain (S1Bt23) from woodland soil in Québec, Canada. Taxonomic characterization by 16S rRNA, multi-locus sequence analysis, pairwise whole-genome comparisons, phylogenomics and phenotypic data identified strain S1Bt23 as a novel subspecies within Pseudomonas chlororaphis. In dual culture studies, strain S1Bt23 exhibited potent mycelial growth inhibition (60.2-66.7%) against Pythium ultimum. Furthermore, strain S1Bt23 was able to significantly bioprotect potato tuber slices from the development of necrosis inducible by P. ultimum. Annotations of the whole genome sequence of S1Bt23 revealed the presence of an arsenal of secondary metabolites including the complete phenazine biosynthetic cluster (phzABCDEFG). Thin-layer (TLC) and high-performance liquid (HPLC) chromatographic analyses of S1Bt23 extracts confirmed the production of phenazines, potent antifungal compounds. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of phzB (S1Bt23ΔphzB) or phzF (S1Bt23ΔphzF) gene abrogated phenazine production based on TLC and HPLC analyses. Also, S1Bt23ΔphzB and S1Bt23ΔphzF mutants lost antagonistic activity and bioprotection ability of potato tubers against P. ultimum. This demonstrated that phenazines are involved in the antagonistic activity of S1Bt23 against P. ultimum. Finally, based on genotypic and phenotypic data, we taxonomically conclude that S1Bt23 represents a novel subspecies for which the name Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. phenazini is proposed.

Effect of caffeic acid and cobalt sulfate on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants in the presence and absence of nanoparticles-coated urea.

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are a significant food crop cultivated around the world. Caffeic acid (CA) can enhance plant growth by promoting antioxidant activity and stimulating root development, contributing to overall plant health and vigor. Cobalt sulfate (CoSO4) boosts plant growth by promoting nitrogen (N) fixation, healthier root development, and chlorophyll synthesis, enhancing photosynthesis and overall plant health. Nanoparticle-coated urea (NPCU) improves nutrient uptake, promoting plant growth efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This study investigates the effects of combining CA, CoSO4, and NPCU as amendments on potatoes with and without NPCU. Four treatments, control, 20 µM CA, 0.15 mg/L CoSO4, and 20 µM CA + 0.15 mg/L CoSO4 with and without NPCU, were applied in four replications using a completely randomized design. Results demonstrate that the combination of CA + CoSO4 with NPCU led to an increase in potato stem length (~ 6%), shoot dry weight (~ 15%), root dry weight (~ 9%), and leaf dry weight (~ 49%) compared to the control in nutrient stress. There was a significant rise in chlorophyll a (~ 27%), chlorophyll b (~ 37%), and total chlorophyll (~ 28%) over the control under nutrient stress also showed the potential of CA + CoSO4 with NPCU. In conclusion, the findings suggest that applying CA + CoSO4 with NPCU is a strategy for alleviating potato nutrient stress.

Detection and occurrence of genetically modified rice and potato in the Saudi food market.

The number of food products with genetically modified (GM) crops on the global market has increased due to advancements in genetic engineering technology. Legislation regulating the labeling and use of GM crops has increased considerably worldwide to provide consumers with health and safety assurance. It is still unclear whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are present in the food market of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to a lack of scientific studies. This work was planned to detect GM rice and GM potatoes in the Saudi food market. One hundred non-labeled rice and rice product samples and 50 potato and potato samples were collected randomly from different market sites of Makkah, Riyadh and Jeddah during 2022-2023. The cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method was used to extract DNA. Viviants DNA extraction kit was used to extract DNA from rice starch and potato chips. To find GMOs in samples, CMOScreen 35S and NOS test kits were utilized. DNA-based qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to screen targets for PCR detection of GM rice sequences. The results indicated that 32 (32%) rice samples were positive for CaMV 35S promoter, while no positive result was detected for the NOS terminator. Besides, 30% of potato samples were positive for the CaMV 35S promoter, and the same samples were positive for the presence of the Cry V gene. It could be concluded that there were GM rice and potatoes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's food markets. Establishing strong regulations and certified laboratories to monitor genetically modified foods (GMF) or crops in the Saudi market is recommended.

Foliar application of salicylic acid improved morpho-anatomical features of potato by irrigating with wastewater.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of using drain water as a source of irrigation and its effects along with salicylic acid on morphological, anatomical, physico-chemical as well as yield attributes of potato. For this study, potato tubers were grown in pots and irrigated with different concentrations of drain water. Salicylic acid treatments vis. 0, 0.5 and 1.0 mM were applied foliarly. Pre- and post-harvest analysis was carried out to determine different attributes of soil, water and plants after 60 days. RESULTS: The growth of potato plant was increased as the concentration of SA increased through increasing shoot length, fresh/dry weight and tuber number/plant. In this research work, plant respond to overcome metal stresses by up regulating antioxidant defense system such as, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) by application of highest treatment of SA when irrigated with 6% drain water. Plants accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb in the leaves when treated with 1 mM of SA, compared to other plant parts. It was observed that photosynthetic pigment enhanced in 6% drain water treated plants when applied with 1mM SA as compared to control. An increase in epidermis and cortical cell thickness, as well as stomatal closure, was observed, helping to maintain water loss under stress conditions. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, it can be suggested that SA is potent signaling molecule can play an essential role in maintaining potato growth when irrigated with drain water containing heavy metals through stimulating metal up take and up regulation of antioxidant enzymes.

Evolution of Phytophthora infestans on its potato host since the Irish potato famine.

Phytophthora infestans is a major oomycete plant pathogen, responsible for potato late blight, which led to the Irish Potato Famine from 1845-1852. Since then, potatoes resistant to this disease have been bred and deployed worldwide. Their resistance (R) genes recognize pathogen effectors responsible for virulence and then induce a plant response stopping disease progression. However, most deployed R genes are quickly overcome by the pathogen. We use targeted sequencing of effector and R genes on herbarium specimens to examine the joint evolution in both P. infestans and potato from 1845-1954. Currently relevant effectors are historically present in P. infestans, but with alternative alleles compared to modern reference genomes. The historic FAM-1 lineage has the virulent Avr1 allele and the ability to break the R1 resistance gene before breeders deployed it in potato. The FAM-1 lineage is diploid, but later, triploid US-1 lineages appear. We show that pathogen virulence genes and host resistance genes have undergone significant changes since the Famine, from both natural and artificial selection.

Ratiometric detection and monitoring of cyanide in biological, environmental and food samples by a novel triphenylamine-xhantane based fluorescent probe.

BACKGROUND: As cyanide (CN-) is a significant hazard to the environment and human health, it is essential to monitor cyanide levels in water and food samples. Moreover, real-time visualization of CN-could provide an additional understanding of its critical physiological and toxicological roles in living cells. The fluorescence approach based on small organic probes is an effective way for the detection of CN-. In this approach, a triphenylamine-xhantane conjugate was applied to detect in many samples such as sewage water, soil, sprouted potato, apricot seed, and living cells. RESULTS: We report a new ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probe based on a triphenylamine-xhantane derivative for CN-sensing in many samples. The probe displays high selectivity for only CN- ions among a series of analytes. The addition of cyanide to the dicyanovinyl moiety of the probe disrupts π-conjugation followed by the interruption of internal charge transfer. Consequently, the emission peak of the probe shifts hypsochromically from 655 to 495 nm. There is a linear correlation between the emission intensity (I495) and cyanide level, with a detection limit of 0.036 µM. The probe has many advantages over many probes, such as NIR fluorescence, ratiometric response, low cytotoxicity (85.0 % cell viability up to 50.0 µM of the probe), good membrane permeability, fast response time (4.0 min), high selectivity, good photostability, and anti-interference capability. SIGNIFICANCE: Although various probes have been reported in the literature, the use of triphenylamine-xhantane unit as CN- probe has yet to be explored. The probe can detect trace levels of cyanide in many samples such as sewage water, soil, sprouted potatoes, and apricot seeds. Furthermore, it is successfully utilized for the ratiometric fluorescent bioimaging of cyanide in living cells.

Differences in the constituents of bacterial microbiota of soils collected from two fields of diverse potato blackleg and soft rot diseases incidences, a case study.

The presence of bacteria from the Dickeya spp. and Pectobacterium spp. in farmlands leads to global crop losses of over $420 million annually. Since 1982, the scientists have started to suspect that the development of disease symptoms in crops might be inhibited by bacteria present in the soil. Here, we characterized in terms of physicochemical properties and the composition of bacterial soil microbiota two fields differing, on the basis of long-term studies, in the occurrence of Dickeya spp.- and Pectobacterium spp.-triggered infections. Majority, i.e. 17 of the investigated physicochemical features of the soils collected from two fields of either low or high potato blackleg and soft rot diseases incidences turned out to be similar, in contrast to the observed 4 deviations in relation to Mg, Mn, organic C and organic substance contents. By performing microbial cultures and molecular diagnostics-based identification, 20 Pectobacterium spp. strains were acquired from the field showing high blackleg and soft rot incidences. In addition, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing followed by bioinformatic analysis revealed differences at various taxonomic levels in the soil bacterial microbiota of the studied fields. We observed that bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Rumeliibacillus, Acidobacterium and Gaiella turned out to be more abundant in the soil samples originating from the field of low comparing to high frequency of pectinolytic bacterial infections. In the herein presented case study, it is shown for the first time that the composition of bacterial soil microbiota varies between two fields differing in the incidences of soft rot and blackleg infections.

Pesticide knowledge and attitude among the potato growing farmers of Bangladesh and determinant factors.

The study aimed to assess the extent of pesticide use among potato-growing farmers in Bangladesh and its relationship with their knowledge, attitude, and socio-demographic characteristics. Data were collected from 553 farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire through multistage random sampling. Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the frequency of pesticide use and various socio-demographic factors. Results showed that out of 321 different pesticide brands reported, 50.5% were registered, while 47.7% were unregistered and 1.9% were banned. Among the registered pesticides, 5.6% were highly hazardous, 24.8% were moderately hazardous, and 6.2% were slightly hazardous as per World Health Organization category. A high percentage (96%) of farmers reported using pesticides in their fields, with 16.6% applying pesticides more than five times in a cropping season. Data revealed that majority of the farmers were aware of the negative effect of pesticides on health and environment. Most farmers used hand towels (77.9%) and ordinary shirts (70.0%) to cover their bodies to avoid pesticide exposure. Inappropriate disposal of empty pesticide containers was also observed. Negative binomial regression analysis revealed significant positive associations between the frequency of pesticide application and potato productivity, rate of fertilizer application, area of land owned by farmers, and their knowledge about the negative effects of pesticides on human health. The study suggests adopting integrated pest management practices, developing pest-resistant potato varieties, ensuring safe handling practices and disposal as well as stringent enforcement of laws to mitigate pesticide externalities and hence ensure sustainability in agriculture.

Effect of microwave combined with ethanol pretreatment on the quality of potato CO2 explosion puffing drying.

To enhance the drying quality of potato slices, this investigation employed a microwave heating (MH) combined with ethanol osmotic dehydration (EOD) pretreatment strategy to improve the quality of explosion puffing drying (EPD). This paper systematically investigated the effects of different pretreatment methods (no treatment, HAD, MH, EOD, MH+EOD) on the quality and physicochemical properties of potato slices subjected to CO2-EPD. The results showed that after MH and EOD pretreatments, the internal pores of the potato slices exhibited a uniform porous structure. The MH+EOD+CO2-EPD treatment demonstrated superior expansion, crispness, hardness, and color, with higher retention rates of vitamin C and protein. The measurements were an expansion ratio of 2.15, hardness of 1290.01 g, crispness of 745.94 g, ΔE of 6.54, protein content of 1.99 g/100 g, and VC content of 17.33 mg/100 g. Additionally, the study explored the effects of microwave power, microwave drying time, ethanol concentration, and ethanol soaking time on the expansion ratio, hardness, crispness, protein content, VC content, and color. MH+EOD+CO2-EPD is an environmentally sustainable and efficient solution with potential for widespread industrial application to enhance processing quality and economic benefits.

Early asymptomatic prediction of potato soft rot disease using phytohormone-induced volatile biomarkers.

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are one of the world's major staple crops. In stored potatoes, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp carotovorum causes soft rot. As a result of the rapid spread of the disease during post-harvest storage, potato production suffers huge losses. By detecting disease early and controlling it promptly, losses can be minimized. The profile of volatiles of plants can be altered by phytopathogens. Identifying unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as biomarkers for early disease detection has attracted considerable research attention. This study compared the VOC profiles of healthy and soft rot inoculated potatoes (cv. "Kufri Pukhraj") over a time course using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was found that there was a differential emission of 27 VOCs between healthy non-inoculated potatoes and soft rot inoculated potatoes. Among 27 VOCs, only five (1-octen-3-ol, 2-methylisoborneol, 3-octanone, 1,4-dimethyladamantane, and 2-methyl-2-bornene) were found exclusively in soft rot inoculated potatoes, suggesting them potential biomarker for non-destructive prediction of soft rot disease in potatoes. Reactive oxygen species (H2O2) and phytohormone methyl-jasmonate (MeJa) levels increased transiently on infection with soft rot. The analysis of the primary metabolism of soft rot infected tubers at three different stages suggests metabolic reprogramming that occurs at the early stage of infection, possibly leading to biomarker volatile emission. Based on these results, it appears that the initial potato-soft rot bacteria interaction initiates metabolic reprogramming mainly through H2O2 and the MeJa signalling pathway. In asymptomatic potatoes, these biomarkers may be promising candidates for non-destructive detection of soft rot at an early stage. These biomarkers can be used to develop an e-nose sensor to predict soft rot in the future.