INFLUENCIA DEL ALMACENAMIENTO EN ATMOSFERA CONTROLADA SOBRE EL CONTENIDO DE AZÚCARES TOTALES Y REDUCTORES DE PAPAS cv. RANGER RUSSET

Abstract

The influence of controlled atmosphere storage on the content of total and reducing sugars in Ranger Russet potatoes.
Respiration is the metabolic activity which needs the strictest control to minimize perishability of tubers during storage. To reduce the respiratory activity in vegetables such as potatoes requires a change in the atmosphere gas balance. According to the literature increasing the CO₂ concentration and decreasing in O₂ concentration can provoke changes in the tubers during storage. The quality of Ranger Russet potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) during long-term storage under two controlled atmospheres (CA) and regular atmosphere storage (RA) was evaluated using a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement and 3 replications. Tubers were stored (6.6 °C, 95% RH) for 5 months in RA; 0.003% CO₂ and 21% O₂, and CA; 5% CO₂ and 12% O₂, 5% CO₂ and 6% O₂. The response of tuber to the storage was evaluated, including determinations of total sugars, sucrose and reducing sugars. The accumulation of total sugars, sucrose and reducing sugars was measured in the bud and stem ends of tubers of 4 sizes. The RA storage condition were found to be the best condition to limit the accumulation of total sugar in the bud and stem portions of tuber of all sizes. The CA conditions increased the amounts of total sugar and sucrose. The 5% CO₂, 12% O₂ atmosphere significantly increased the tuber reducing sugar content. The stem-end of the potatoes contained a higher sugar content as did the small tubers.