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Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses a study which tested 11 cultivars of potato with a wide range of skin and flesh colours and grown over two years in 2008 and 2009 in Elora, Ontario for the total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin-content (TAC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA). Results showed significant variations among cultivars for both years. The results suggested that purple/red potato cultivars have a greater potential as functional foods for enhanced human health benefits.

To identify healthier potatoes with respect to starch profiles, fourteen early varieties were evaluated for their dietary fiber, total starch, rapidly digestible (RDS), slowly digestible (SDS), and resistant (RS) starch for nutrition and with regard to estimated glycemic index (eGI) and glycemic load (eGL). While all these profiles were highly dependent on the potato variety, eleven out of fourteen varieties were classified as low GL foods ( p < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed with eGI and RDS ( r = 0.975–1.00, 0.96–1.00 and 0.962–0.997 for uncooked, cooked and retrograded varieties, respectively), whereas a strong negative correlation was observed between eGI and RS ( r = −0.985 to −0.998, −0.96 to −1.00 and −0.983 to −0.999 for uncooked, cooked and retrograded varieties respectively, p < 0.05). For the cultivars examined, the present study identified RDS and RS as major starch factors contributing to eGI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on St-Jean D'Orleans', a new June-bearing strawberry cultivar that was introduced because of its fruit that has an excellent shelf life and resistance to leaf diseases. Data on the origin of St-Jean d-Orleans' is presented. The description and performance of the plant is discussed, as well as area of adaptation and uses.

The article features the Saint-Laurent d'Orléans' strawberry from a new June bearing strawberry cultivar released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It has a large, very firm, light red shiny fruit. The strawberry has an excellent shelf life and resistance to leaf diseases. It was named after the village of Saint-Laurent d'Orléans in Quebec.