1 research outputs found
Glycoalkaloid and Calystegine Levels in Table Potato Cultivars Subjected to Wounding, Light, and Heat Treatments
Potato tubers naturally contain a
number of defense substances,
some of which are of major concern for food safety. Among these substances
are the glycoalkaloids and calystegines. We have here analyzed levels
of glycoalkaloids (α-chaconine and α-solanine) and calystegines
(A<sub>3</sub>, B<sub>2</sub>, and B<sub>4</sub>) in potato tubers
subjected to mechanical wounding, light exposure, or elevated temperature:
stress treatments that are known or anticipated to induce glycoalkaloid
levels. Basal glycoalkaloid levels in tubers varied between potato
cultivars. Wounding and light exposure, but not heat, increased tuber
glycoalkaloid levels, and the relative response differed among the
cultivars. Also, calystegine levels varied between cultivars, with
calystegine B<sub>4</sub> showing the most marked variation. However,
the total calystegine level was not affected by wounding or light
exposure. The results demonstrate a strong variation among potato
cultivars with regard to postharvest glycoalkaloid increases, and
they suggest that the biosynthesis of glycoalkaloids and calystegines
occurs independently of each other