Use of Low-Dose Electron-Beam Irradiation and Storage Conditions for Sprout Control and their Effects on Xanthophylls, Antioxidant Capacity, and Phenolics in the Potato Cultivar Atlantic

Low-dose electron-beam (e-beam) irradiation and storage conditions were evaluated for effectiveness in sprout control and their influence on health-promoting compounds in the potato cultivar Atlantic. Tubers were subjected to zero and 200 Gy and stored at either 4 °C or ambient temperature for 0, 10, 20, 75, and 110 days before evaluation. Xanthophyll content (Xan), antioxidant capacity (AOC), and phenolic content (PC) were quantified by spectrophotometric absorbance; xanthophyll and phenolic compounds were quantified with HPLC-DAD analysis. Tubers held at ambient conditions during storage lost weight and were visibly dehydrated. Tubers exposed to irradiation did not sprout; non-irradiated tubers sprouted, regardless of storage temperature. The exterior layer of tubers had greater total Xan, AOC, and PC than the interior layer, regardless of treatment. Storage time was the most influential factor, affecting Xan, AOC, and PC content. AOC, PC, and chlorogenic acid content increased within the first 10 days of storage, then declined with extended storage. Initially, the AOC and PC increased in irradiated tubers when compared to non-irradiated samples; however, little to no differences were observed once tubers were held in storage. Some exterior layer samples experienced an increase in Xan and PC during the later stages of storage and was believed to be associated with a concentration effect due to dehydration. E-beam irradiation inhibited sprouting during storage and prominent potato health promoting compounds were retained.