Composition of sulfited potatoes: Comparision with fresh and frozen potatoes

The content in moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate, fibre and vitamin C was analyzed in three commercial types of potatoes: sulfited (treated with E223), frozen potatoes (pre-fried) and fresh potatoes (not processed). The composition of sulfited potatoes does not usually appear in food composition tables. Our results showed significant differences in the content of carbohydrates and fibre between sulfited and fresh potatoes. The content of vitamin C in sulfited potatoes, which is similar to that of frozen potatoes, was shown to be approximately half of that found in fresh potatoes.     

Harvesting potatoes with minimum damage

Temperature, tuber condition and harvester operation must be considered if potatoes are to be harvested with minimum damage. In general, total damage increased as temperature decreased; however, the type of damage resulting from impact was influenced by temperature and tuber condition. The data indicate that a tuber turgidity level occurs wherein total damage susceptibility level is minimal for a given tuber temperature and that the proper tuber turgidity level changes as temperature changes. A tuber hydration level which produces little damage when bruised at a flesh temperature of 65–70 F results in severe damage (shatter bruise) when subjected to the same force at 45–50 F. Conversely, a hydration level which results in severe blackspot at 65–70 F may result in slight to moderate total damage when subjected to the same impact at 50–55 F. Data from several commercial harvester studies indicate that damage may increase rather than decrease with a reduction of harvester speed. The ratio of chain speeds to forward speed was found to be more important than forward speed alone. The optimum ratios varied and were dependent on potato yield. Theoretical ratios based on the volume of tubers at different yield levels and harvester chain capacities were calculated and compared with actual ratios of commercial harvest operation. Harvesters operated with chain speed to forward speed ratios near the theoretical ratios resulted in low tuber damage (25%) with forward speed ranges of 1.60 to 3.25 mph. Harvesters operating with ratios differing considerably from theoretical ratios resulted in a high level of damage (66%). The catechol test identified shatter bruise damage which ruptured the skin, but did not detect internal blackspot. Therefore, the catechol test should be used with discretion when attempting to determine the total damage level. Lye peeling and abrasive peeling identified both blackspot and severe shatter bruise damage and should be used when determining harvester operation speeds when both types of damage occur.     

马铃薯转基因研究进展

简要介绍马铃薯转基因技术方法,着重对已获得的转抗真菌病基因、抗病毒基因、抗虫基因、改良品质基因的马铃薯的特征特性,以及将马铃薯作为植物生物反应器来生产有用蛋白质和疫苗等方面的研究成果进行了综述,同时还对转基因马铃薯的生物安全性作了评价和展望。     

Water-nutrient-herbicide management of potatoes with trickle irrigation

A study was designed to test the effectiveness of nitrogen and herbicide applications through soil moisture-controlled, trickle-irrigation systems, and to test the effectiveness of automatic irrigation via soil moisture control to minimize the water requirement and N-losses for high-frequency, trickle-irrigation systems. Results indicated that single or multiple applications of herbicide at recommended rates can be used effectively with trickle irrigation to control weeds in the potato row where cultivation is not possible. Nitrogen can be efficiently applied through a trickle system that features automatic soil moisture control through the use of a high-frequency irrigation schedule.