Changes in anthocyanidin levels during the maturation of color-fleshed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers.

Certain potato cultivars are capable of producing anthocyanin pigments in the potato skin and flesh and those pigments have been shown, together with other phytochemicals, to promote good health. Six common anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, pelargonidin, malvidin and peonidin) were analyzed weekly for 15weeks in red- and purple-fleshed potato cultivars (Red Emma, Königspurpur, Valfi and Blaue de la Mancha) grown in field conditions using a validated LC-(+ESI)MS/MS method. Pelargonidin was the major type detected in red-fleshed cultivars whereas petunidin was the major type detected in the purple ones. Neither cyanidin nor delphinidin were found in any of the cultivars. The anthocyanidin levels observed were as high as 78mg/100g FW during tuber growth; however, fully matured tubers contained only 10-39mg anthocyanidins/100gFW. Anthocyanidin levels were moderately correlated with global solar irradiation (r<0.6252) but not with rainfall or daily temperature.

Carotenoid profile and retention in yellow-, purple- and red-fleshed potatoes after thermal processing.

This research aimed to investigate the effect of thermal processing on carotenoid profile, quantity and stability in 22 colour-fleshed potato cultivars grown in the Czech Republic. The total of nine carotenoids was analysed by HPLC using a C30 column and PDA detection. The total carotenoid content for all cultivars ranged from 1.44 to 40.13 µg/g DM. Yellow cultivars showed a much higher average total carotenoid content (26.22 µg/g DM) when compared to red/purple-fleshed potatoes (5.69 µg/g DM). Yellow cultivars were dominated by antheraxanthin, whereas neoxanthin was the main carotenoid in red/purple cultivars. Thermal processing significantly impacted all potato cultivars. Boiling decreased the total carotenoids by 92% compared to baking (88%). Lutein was the most stable carotenoid against thermal processing (decreased by 24-43%) followed by ß-carotene (decreased by 78-83%); other carotenoids were degraded nearly completely. Increased formation of (Z)-isomers by thermal processing has not been confirmed.

Anthocyanin and antioxidant activity of snacks with coloured potato.

Coloured-fleshed potatoes of four varieties were used as raw material for coloured flour and fried snack production. The effects of thermal processes traditionally used in dried potato processing and in snack pellet manufacturing on anthocyanin profiles, total polyphenols and antioxidant properties of obtained half- and ready products were studied. There was a significant influence of potato variety on the experimental flour and snack properties. Flours with the highest antioxidant activities were obtained from Salad Blue and Herbie 26 potatoes; however, the flour prepared from the Blue Congo exhibited a much higher total polyphenol and anthocyanin content. Snacks produced with coloured flour had 2-3 times higher antioxidant activities, 40% higher contents of polyphenols, attractive colour and better expansion compared to control samples. The lowest losses of anthocyanins during snack processing were in snacks with flour from the purple-fleshed Blue Congo and red-fleshed Herbie 26.

Effect of cultivar, location and year on total starch, amylose, phosphorus content and starch grain size of high starch potato cultivars for food and industrial processing.

In recent time the interest of industry increases particularly in processing and use of potato high amylopectin (AMP) starches. Therefore the plant breeders effort to obtain "waxy" potato cultivars with low amylose (AMS) content. In this four-year study sixteen potato cultivars grown on five experimental locations were evaluated on the percentage of AMS/AMP by enzymatic method, starch content by the underwater weight method, phosphorus (P) content in starch digests spectrophotometrically, and starch granule size determined by laser diffraction method. Between enzymatic and iodine-potassium iodide method good correlation has been revealed (r=0.71). The correlation analysis between AMS and P levels showed a clear negative correlation. For all measured parameters (starch, AMS, P, starch granule size) significant impact of cultivar has been determined. Location and year have lower, but significant impact. No statistically significant effect of year on AMS has been found. The cultivar Amado distinguished with the highest AMP and P contents and the cultivar Westamyl showed all positive values interesting for growers and processors.

The influence of dehydrated potatoes processing on the glycoalkaloids content in coloured-fleshed potato.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different temperatures of blanching and pre-drying used in the laboratory production of dried potato dice on the content of glycoalkaloids in red and blue fleshed potato varieties. Studied potatoes of coloured fleshed varieties were characterised by a low glycoalkaloids content at 5.47 mg 100 g(-1). The production of dehydrated potato dice influenced on the decrease in glycoalkaloids content in potato products. The majority of these compounds were removed during the peeling (70%) and blanching process (29%). Potato dice blanched at the highest temperature (85 °C) and pre-dried at 120 °C was characterised by the lowest quantity of glycoalkaloids content, whereas the highest content of these compounds was found in dice blanched potato at the lowest temperature (65 °C) and pre-dried at 120 °C. The blanching process much influenced on the decrease in glycoalkaloids content than pre-drying process.

Effect of peeling and three cooking methods on the content of selected phytochemicals in potato tubers with various colour of flesh.

The impact of peeling and three cooking treatments (boiling, baking and microwaving) on the content of selected phytochemicals in white-, yellow-, red- and purple-fleshed potatoes was investigated. Ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid contents were determined by HPLC-DAD, total anthocyanin content by pH-differential spectrophotometry, glycoalkaloid, α-chaconine and α-solanine contents by HPLC-ESI/MS/MS. All cooking treatments reduced ascorbic and chlorogenic acid contents, total glycoalkaloids, α-chaconine and α-solanine with the exception of total anthocyanins. The losses of ascorbic and chlorogenic acids were minimised with boiling and total anthocyanin levels retained the highest. Boiling of peeled tubers decreased contents of total glycoalkaloids (α-chaconine and α-solanine) and appeared as the most favourable among the three tested methods. Moreover, due to higher initial levels, red- and purple-fleshed cultivars retained higher amounts of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, chlorogenic acid and total anthocyanin) after boiling and may be healthier as compared with white or yellow cultivars.