Quality of packaged refrigerated biofortified sweet potato cultivars

ABSTRACT Combining refrigeration with packaging is a commonly used technique for fruits intended for export. Thus, the objective of this study was to adapt the post-harvest management of biofortified sweet potato cultivars, using packaging and refrigeration, focused on reaching distant export markets while maintaining the commercial quality. Sweet potatoes of the cultivars BRS-Amélia and Beauregard were selected after harvesting, washed, and packaged. The experimental design used was completely randomized, in a 4 × 7 factorial arrangement consisted of 4 treatments (cultivar BRS-Amélia with and without packaging; and cultivar Beauregard with and without packaging) and 7 evaluations under storage conditions: at 0, 7, 14 (under refrigeration at approximately 8 °C), 17, 20, 23, and 26 days (under room temperature conditions at approximately 25 °C). Each experimental unit contained 500 g of tubbers. The results showed that the refrigerated storage combined with packaging extended the shelf life of the evaluated sweet potatoes: 17 days for BRS-Amélia and 26 days for the cultivar Beauregard. The BRS-Amélia cultivar maintained higher firmness, soluble solids and carbohydrate contents, chroma, and antioxidant activity (FRAP method), and total phenolic contents, in both raw and cooked tissues. The cultivar Beauregard presented less dehydration and greater stability in vitamin C, total phenolic, total carotenoid, soluble carbohydrate, and starch contents in raw and cooked potatoes. Therefore, the combination of packaging and refrigeration preserved the commercial quality of biofortified sweet potatoes for export markets. RESUMO Combinar refrigeração com embalagem é uma técnica comumente utilizada para frutas destinadas à exportação. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi adequar o manejo pós-colheita de cultivares de batata-doce biofortificadas, utilizando embalagem e refrigeração, com foco em atingir mercados de exportação distantes e mantendo a qualidade comercial. As batatas-doces das cultivares BRS-Amélia e Beauregard foram selecionadas após a colheita, lavadas e embaladas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 4 × 7 composto por 4 tratamentos (cultivar BRS-Amélia com e sem embalagem; e cultivar Beauregard com e sem embalagem) e 7 avaliações nas condições de armazenamento: aos 0, 7, 14 (sob refrigeração a aproximadamente 8 °C), 17, 20, 23 e 26 dias (sob condições de temperatura ambiente a aproximadamente 25 °C). Cada