Effects of agronomical practices on potato growth, nutritional profile, and suitability for frying

Francesca Bruno, Ingo Hein, M. Ehsan Jorat, Moira Ledbetter, Brian Harrower, Ben Davies, Keith Sturrock, Gary Montague, Malcolm Knott, Ged McNamara, Alberto Fiore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effect of sulfur nutrition, basalt rock aggregate (BA) application, with a carbon capture function, and speed breeding under light-emitting diode (LED) light, on the nutritional profile of potatoes and acrylamide formation in crisp production.

RESULTS

Taurus potatoes grown with sulfur showed reduced glucose, sucrose, and total amino acids, and increased asparagine. No difference in acrylamide content was observed in crisps from Taurus and Lady Claire cultivars, with either sulfur or BA application. Speed breeding under LED light reduced plant height in all cultivars (50–60 cm) in comparison with controls (80–90 cm). Tubers grown under LED light exhibited higher levels of glucose and fructose, and increased formation of acrylamide in crisps (78.90% for Lady Claire, 592.58% for Taurus, and 70.25% for Desiree).

CONCLUSIONS

Sulfur fertilization could benefit certain potato cultivars by lowering sugar levels in the tubers. Basal rock aggregate can be applied safely during the growth of potatoes as an innovative tool for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, with no negative effect on tubers’ nutritional profile and no influence on acrylamide formation in crisps. The LED light conditions proved to be unsuitable for potato growth, especially if the potatoes were destined for the frying industry, increasing both sugars and acrylamide content.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Early online date30 Jan 2025
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 30 Jan 2025

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