A rapid micro-starch quantitation method for potato callus and its application with potato tubers

The procedure described was developed as a micro-starch method for potato callus tissue (0.1-0.2% starch on a fresh weight basis) and then evaluated with macro-starch samples of potato tubers harvested during three physiological stages of development. This method consisted of the following steps: (a) a mild alkaline-sonic extraction of starch from lyophilized 80% aqueous ethanol-washed samples, (b) starch hydrolysis of the neutralized, filtered extracts by 1 N HC1, and (c) the determination of liberated glucose by the specific glucose oxidase system. Results with this procedure were as sensitive and accurate (SD ± 0.86%) as with other starch-specific methods with more extensive starch isolation and purification steps.