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Sweet potatoes are rich in amino acids, organic acids, and lipids, offering exceptional nutritional value. To accurately select varieties with higher nutritional value, we employed liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to analyze the metabolic profiles of three types of sweet potatoes (white sweet potato flesh, BS; orange sweet potato flesh, CS; and purple sweet potato flesh, ZS). When comparing CS vs. BS, ZS vs. BS, and ZS vs. CS, we found differences in 527 types of amino acids and their derivatives, 556 kinds of organic acids, and 39 types of lipids. After excluding the derivatives, we found 6 amino acids essential for humans across the three sweet potatoes, with 1 amino acid, 11 organic acids, and 2 lipids being detected for the first time. CS had a higher content of essential amino acids, while ZS had a lower content. Succinic acid served as a characteristic metabolite for ZS, helping to distinguish it from the other two varieties. These findings provide a theoretical basis for assessing the nutritional value of sweet potatoes and setting breeding targets while facilitating the selection of optimal varieties for food processing, medicine, and plant breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries 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 aim of this study was to determine the functional properties, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) properties of cream and orange-fleshed sweet potato flour and sensory evaluation of its dough meal. Three varieties of sweet potato examined were mother's delight (MDP), king J (KJP) and cream (CFSP). Sweet potato tuber were processed into flour and analyzed for functional, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), color, and sensory evaluations. The results show that the packed bulk density ranged from 0.76 to 1.24 g/mL, and water absorption capacity ranged from 32.3 to 56.3 g/mL. It was observed that the FTIR of the flour shows distinctive peak spectra region at 3300, 2900, 1700, 1340 and <1000 cm−1. The percentage solubility and swelling power increase as the temperature increases. Sensory evaluation of the dough meal showed that KJP dough was the most preferred. and it compared favorably with that of the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) is a major source of food in many parts of Ethiopia. In recent years, viral diseases have become the main threat to sweet potato production in Ethiopia. Previous virus survey studies carried out from 1986 to 2020 reported eight viruses infecting sweet potato in Ethiopia. Consequently, obtaining and multiplying virus-free planting materials have been difficult for farmers and commercial multipliers. This study was conducted to detect viruses infecting the five sweet potato varieties used as source plants and compare the virus elimination efficiency between meristem cultures from untreated and heat-treated mother plants and production of virus-free sweet-potato-planting materials. Seven common viruses were tested for, using grafting to Ipomoea setosa, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) before and after elimination procedures as screening and confirmatory methods. The sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) elimination efficiencies of meristem cultures from untreated (grown at 25 ± 1 °C) and heat-treated (grown at 39 ± 1 °C) potted plants of sweet potato varieties were evaluated and compared. Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) was detected in 12 of the 15 source plants tested. Triple infections of SPFMV, sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), and sweet potato virus C (SPVC) were detected in one of the fifteen plants. This study reports the detection of SPVC for the first time in sweet potato plants from Ethiopia. The cutting of meristems from heat-treated plants further increased the percentage of virus-free plantlets by ca 10% to ca 16%, depending on the plant variety. Elimination efficiency also seemed to vary among varieties: the greatest difference was observed for 'Tola', and the least difference was observed for 'Guntute'. The present study provided protocols for detecting viruses and generating virus-free sweet-potato-planting materials in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Popularity of yellow‐fleshed sweet potato is rising due to its versatility, nutritional richness, and environmental advantages, particularly in countries across sub‐Saharan Africa and the Sahel region. Many countries in the region have made efforts to incorporate vitamin A varieties of sweet potato into their farming systems and diets. However, research on the acceptability of sweet potato dishes in these regions is limited. This study aims to fill this gap by providing empirical evidence on acceptability of sweet potato dishes and the comparative preferences of consumers for different value‐added sweet potato‐based meals using sensory analyses of 13 dishes and 55 panelists in Eritrea. We find a significant acceptance level, with a mean score of 4.21 out of 5. Certain products, such as low‐added sugar biscuits (mean score of 4.70 out of 5), low‐added sugar jams (4.56 out of 5), bread (4.59 out of 5), chips (4.56 out of 5), and stew (4.38 out of 5), have emerged as favorites, offering opportunities for agribusiness and household adoption. These findings suggest promising potential for integrating sweet potatoes into diets across these regions. However, the current lack of demand is might be due to inadequate investment in promotions, until a critical mass of adopters is reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sweet potato and potato, sensory traits are critical for acceptance by consumers, growers, and traders, hence underpinning the success or failure of a new cultivar. A quick analytical method for the sensory traits could expedite the selection process in breeding programs. In this paper, the relationship between sensory panel and instrumental color plus texture features was evaluated. Results have shown a high correlation between the sensory panel and instrumental color in both sweet potato (up to r = 0.84) and potato (r > 0.78), implying that imaging is a potential alternative to the sensory panel for color scoring. High correlations between sensory panel aroma and flavor with instrumental color were detected (up to r = 0.66), although the validity of these correlations needs to be tested. With instrumental color and texture parameters as predictors, low to moderate accuracy was detected in the machine learning models developed to predict sensory panel traits. Overall, the performance of the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGboost) was comparable to the radial‐based support vector machine (NL‐SVM) algorithm, and these could be used for the initial selection of genotypes for aromas and flavors (r2 = 0.64–0.72) and texture attributes like moisture or mealiness (r2 > 50). Among the chemical properties screened in sweet potato, only starch showed a moderate correlation with sensory features like mealiness (r = 0.54) and instrumental color (r = 0.65). From the results, we can conclude that the instrumental scores of color are equivalent to those scored by the sensory panel, and the former could be adopted for quick analysis. Further investigations may be required to understand the association between color and aroma or flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Sumatra is a region in Indonesia with a high supply of local food sources at reasonable costs, such as cassava, purple sweet potatoes, white sweet potatoes, and taro. However, it turns out that local food sources have not been widely utilized. This study aims to formulate a sustainability strategy for the development of the local food industry. The research method used is a focus group discussion with the government and business actors in the local food industry in West Sumatera. The strategies created will consider the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by the local food industry using a SWOT analysis. Results classified 8 items under strengths, 9 under weakness, 10 under opportunities, and 8 under threats. Based on this, a strategy will be formulated which is a combination of the part of SWOT area that consists of 2 SO strategies, 2 WO strategies, 2 WT strategies, and 2 ST strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study selected two sweet potato varieties as research subjects and conducted a field experiment using a two-factor design with two potassium (K) levels (K0 and K1) and five nitrogen (N) levels (N0–N4). The physiological changes in sweet potato leaves under different N and K treatments were measured, and nutrients such as the soluble sugar, protein, and starch content of sweet potato roots were analyzed. The results indicate that the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) and the soluble protein content in sweet potato leaves increase first and then decrease with increasing N application, while K application can significantly increase the activity of GS and the soluble protein content. The N metabolic capacity of leaves is strongest when the fertilizer ratio is K1N2. The SPAD value of sweet potato leaves increases with increasing N application. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO2 concentration first increase and then decrease with increasing N application. K fertilizer has a significant effect on these parameters. As the N application rate increases, the starch and protein content in the tubers increase, while the soluble sugar content decreases. However, the number of tubers per plant, fresh weight of the tubers, and dry weight of the tubers increase initially and then decrease, while the vine length continuously increases. The application of K fertilizer can significantly increase the number of tubers per plant and stem thickness of sweet potato. In conclusion, the appropriate N–K combined application can promote N metabolism, enhance the photosynthetic capacity of sweet potato, increase yield, and improve quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department 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.)

Objectives: This study provides an overview of the composition of the raw root flesh of a panel of 22 sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivars, with a focus on bioactive compounds. The large diversity of the proximate and phytochemical compositions observed between cultivars and within and between different flesh colors pointed out the importance of composition analysis and not only color choice for the design of foods with nutritional benefits. Methods: The nutritional composition (starch, protein, total dietary fibers) and bioactive compound composition of 22 cultivars from Reunion Island, maintained in the Vatel Biological Resource Center, were investigated. Results: Orange and purple cultivars stood out from white and yellow cultivars for their higher nutritional composition. Purple sweet potatoes were notable for their high contents of anthocyanins (55.7 to 143.4 mg/g dry weight (DW)) and phenolic compounds, in particular chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid, contributing to antioxidant activities, as well as their fiber content (14.1 ± 2.1% DW). Orange cultivars were rich in β-carotene (47.2 ± 0.7 mg/100 g DW) and to a lesser extent α-carotene (4.8 ± 1.2 mg/100 g DW). In contrast, certain white cultivars demonstrated suboptimal nutritional properties, rendering them less relevant even for applications where the lack of coloration in food is desired. Conclusions: Those characteristics enable the selection of sweet potato varieties to design food products ensuring optimal nutritional benefits and culinary versatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to investigate the impact of substituting corn with fermented sweet potato potato on the growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, immune indexes, and intestinal morphology of yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into four groups, with six replicates in each group, and 15 broilers in each replicate. The broilers in control group were fed a basal diet. Groups I, II, and III were fed diets with 1%, 3%, and 5% fermented sweet potato pomace substituting corn, respectively, from 1 to 21 days of age, and 5%, 8%, and 10% from 22 to 42 days and 43 to 70 days of age, respectively. The trial lasted for 70 days. The results showed that substituting corn with fermented sweet potato pomace did not significantly affect the average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of the yellow-feathered broilers (P>0.05). Compared to the control group, the levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in groups I and II were significantly increased (P<0.05). At 21 days of age, the villus height and crypt depth of the duodenum in group I were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the crypt depth in the ileum was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C) in the ileum of groups I and III were significantly decreased (P<0.05). At 42 days of age, the villus height of the duodenum and jejunum and crypt depth of the jejunum in group III were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the V/C of the duodenum in group I was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the villus height of the ileum in groups I and II were significantly increased (P<0.05). At 70 days of age, the villus height and V/C of the duodenum in groups I and II were significantly increased (P<0.05), the crypt depth was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the villus height and V/C of the jejunum in group II were significantly increased (P<0.05). The study indicates that adding fermented sweet potato pomace to the diet as a substitute for corn can improve the serum immune indicators and intestinal tissue morphology of yellow-feathered broilers, and the optimal supplemental level is 5% at 1 to 21 days of age and 8% at 22 to 70 days of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fill the research gap in the mechanical and physical properties of different varieties of sweet potatoes at different points in the harvest period and to provide a theoretical basis for the design of key components of the sweet potato harvester, the physical properties of Su-Shu 16, Su-Shu 36, and Ning-Zi 4 during the harvest period were studied at three time points: 15 October, 25 October, and 4 November 2023. The moisture content of sweet potatoes was determined using the DGF30/7-IA electric hot air-drying oven. The results showed that the moisture content of sweet potatoes decreased with increasing growth time at three different time points during the harvest period. The moisture content of Su-Shu 16 was, on average, 12.74% higher than that of Su-Shu 36, while the moisture content of Ning-Zi 4 was, on average, 8.07% higher than that of Su-Shu 36. The density of Su-Shu 36 measured by the drainage method is greater than that of Su-Shu 16 and Ning-Zi 4, but the difference is relatively small, and the density tends to decrease slowly with the increase of growth time. Using an electronic universal testing machine, compression tests were conducted on Su-Shu 16, Su-Shu 36, and Ning-Zi 4 at loading speeds of 5 mm/min and 10 mm/min, respectively. The results showed that the compressive strength limit range of Su-Shu 36 was slightly higher than that of Su-Shu 16 and significantly higher than that of Ning-Zi 4. The Poisson's ratio, elastic modulus, and shear modulus values of Su-Shu 16 and Su-Shu 36 were similar and much higher than those of Ning-Zi 4. Studying sweet potatoes' growth and physical characteristics for different purposes can provide data references for the design of digging depth, working width, and conveyor chain gap of sweet potato harvesters, as well as data references for sweet potato simulation experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

【Objective】The study was conducted to explore the changes in quality of different varieties of fresh sweet potato during storage, which would provide data support and theoretical guidance for the research of storage quality and scientific storage of fresh sweet potato.【Method】In the study, six fresh sweet potato varieties, ‘AN’ ‘G42’ ‘G87’ ‘G72’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ were stored at temperature of 18 (±1)℃ and humidity of 70 (±2)% for 60 days. The change rules of indicators such as rot rate, weight loss rate, dry matter weight, amylase activity, starch, soluble sugar, carotenoids and flavor during storage and correlation analysis of these indicators were studied.【Result】After 60 days of storage，the rot rates of ‘AN’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ reached 60.87%, 50.00% and 44.00%, showing serious rot; while the rot rates of ‘G87’ and ‘G72’ were only 12.50% and 8.70%. The soluble sugar content and flavor of six fresh sweet potato varieties increased with the extension of storage time, while the starch content decreased. The β-amylase was the main amylase in fresh sweet potato, and the β-amylase activity of ‘G42’ ‘G87’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ decreased by 30% to 50% during storage, while that of other varieties decreased by about 10%. In addition, compared with before storage, the carotenoid contents of ‘AN’ and ‘G42’ decreased by 17% to 23% after storage, while the carotenoid contents of the ‘G87’ and ‘G72’ increased by 22% to 36%. After storage for 60 days, there was no significant difference in carotenoids content between ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ compared with that before storage.【Conclusion】The six varieties of fresh sweet potato showed different storage characteristics during storage, among which ‘G87’ and ‘G72’ had a low rot rate during storage, and the storage period could be extended appropriately. ‘G42’ ‘G79’ and ‘P32’ began to rot after 30 days of storage and were not suitable for long-term storage. The flavor of ‘AN’ increased significantly after 15 days of storage, but extensive rot appeared after 45 days of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of varieties on the moisture content, oil content, fracture force, and color lightness of fried chips made from the three orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties: Kulfo, LO-323; Ukr x Eju-13, Dilla; and Kabode. Starch, reducing sugar, moisture, protein, fiber, ash, and carbohydrate contents of fresh sweet potatoes showed a significant difference (P <.05). The Kabode sweet potato variety had the highest specific gravity, starch content, ash, fiber, protein, and carbohydrate content, as well as the lowest fat and reducing sugar, whereas the Kulfo (LO-323) variety exhibited the highest moisture content and reducing sugar. When processed as fried chips, Kabode and Ukr x Eju-13 (Dilla) varieties demonstrated proper color lightness, fracture force, and absorbed less oil. When fried, Kulfo (LO-323) chips had the highest moisture content, oil uptake, and fracture force, as well as the lightest color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office 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.)

This article discusses the importance of roots, tubers, and cooking bananas (RTBs) in the diets of tropical populations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights the challenges faced by growers due to limited genetic diversity, pests, diseases, and climate change. The article emphasizes the need for breeders to prioritize consumer preferences and post-harvest quality traits when developing new varieties. The RTBfoods project aims to address these challenges by identifying key traits desired by farmers, processors, and consumers through consultations and testing, while also incorporating a gender-intentional approach to ensure diverse perspectives are included. The article also discusses a special issue focused on RTBs and their breeding methods, providing information on quality traits and methods for analysis, processing, evaluation, and genetic studies. The goal is to identify promising genotypes with preferred traits for future release to farmers and stakeholders, with an emphasis on understanding user preferences to improve varietal adoption within RTB value chains. [Extracted from the article]

This study investigates the applicability of the Peleg model to the osmotic dehydration of various sweet potato variety samples in sugar beet molasses, addressing a notable gap in the existing literature. The osmotic dehydration was performed using an 80% sugar beet molasses solution at temperatures of 20 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C for periods of 1, 3, and 5 h. The sample-to-solution ratio was 1:5. The objectives encompassed evaluating the Peleg equation's suitability for modeling mass transfer during osmotic dehydration and determining equilibrium water and solid contents at various temperatures. With its modified equation, the Peleg model accurately described water loss and solid gain dynamics during osmotic treatment, as evidenced by a high coefficient of determination value (r2) ranging from 0.990 to 1.000. Analysis of Peleg constants revealed temperature and concentration dependencies, aligning with previous observations. The Guggenheim, Anderson, and de Boer (GAB) model was employed to characterize sorption isotherms, yielding coefficients comparable to prior studies. Effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy calculations further elucidated the drying kinetics, with effective moisture diffusivity values ranging from 1.85 × 10−8 to 4.83 × 10−8 m2/s and activation energy between 7.096 and 16.652 kJ/mol. These findings contribute to understanding the complex kinetics of osmotic dehydration and provide insights into the modeling and optimization of dehydration processes for sweet potato samples, with implications for food processing and preservation methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the aim was to modify the starches of three different sweet potato varieties—Rosada Uruguaiana (RU), Rosada Canadense (RC), and Ligeirinha (L)—through in situ annealing to increase the content of slowly digestible starch (SDS), which has health benefits. The modified carbohydrate was then added to a dairy beverage fermented by Lactobacillus casei 1e (L. casei). After annealing, the starches had different physicochemical properties, and the L variety, which had the highest SDS content, was chosen for the formulation of the fermented dairy beverage. Two concentrations of modified starch (7% and 10.5%) were used in the formulations, and a sensory analysis indicated no differences in acceptance and purchase intention. The beverage containing 10.5% modified starch exhibited good physicochemical and microbiological stability. This study demonstrates the possibility of creating a functional fermented dairy beverage with high SDS content, which could potentially benefit consumers' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to provide technical support for the reduction and efficiency increase of chemical fertilizers in sweet potato cultivation and achieve high yield and high efficiency of sweet potato, in this study, field experiments were carried out with Liaoshu 28 sweet potato as the test material. The foliar spray of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% of wood vinegar was first applied to the foliar surface and compared with the control group without foliar wood vinegar to find out the optimal wood vinegar concentration. Under the optimal wood vinegar conditions, four nitrogen fertilizer application concentrations(0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) at 5 ml per plant were set up, and the foliar nitrogen fertilizer spraying alone was used as the control(CK) to investigate the growth and development, and the yield indexes of sweet potato in the field, and the influence of the synergistic effect of nitrogen fertilizer and wood vinegar on the growth and development of sweet potato were analyzed. The results showed that the optimal concentration of nitrogen fertilizer treatment was 1.5% and the optimal concentration of wood vinegar treatment was 0.3% under single fertilization. When single application of 0.3% of wood vinegar was applied, the fresh weight of stems and leaves, the number of potatoes per plant and the yield of fresh potatoes were higher than those of CK, and were significantly increased by 27.89%, 41.17% and 37.11% respectively compared with CK. When foliar spray of 0.3% of wood vinegar and 1.5% of nitrogen fertilizer at 5 ml per plant, the growth, development, and yield of sweet potato in the field were significantly higher than those of the control. Among them, the vine length, stem diameter and fresh weight of stems and leaves per plant were significantly increased by 22.98%, 25.6%, and 45.26% compared with CK, respectively. The yield of fresh potato and dry potato was significantly increased by 41.05% and 26.38% respectively compared with CK. In summary, after sweet potato planting, foliar spraying of 0.3% of wood vinegar and 1.5% of nitrogen fertilizer every 21 days for a total of 5 times could achieve a better fertilization effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the challenges facing agriculture in Africa, such as low productivity, climate change, and issues of obesity and undernutrition. The African Potato Association (APA) is working to address these challenges by promoting research, production, and utilization of potatoes and sweet potatoes in Africa. The article highlights the 12th Triennial African Potato Association Conference, which focused on using potato and sweet potato innovations to create resilient and healthier agri-food systems. The conference covered topics such as breeding, sustainable seed systems, pest and disease management, and policies for achieving impact at scale. Collaboration and dissemination of research findings are emphasized as crucial for ensuring that technical innovations have a meaningful impact on food and nutrition security. The article also mentions a special issue of the African Potato Association's journal, which covers various aspects of potato and sweet potato production in Africa, including seed systems, pest management, marketing, and policies. The document expresses gratitude to the authors, editor, and technical editor for their contributions to the special issue. The next triennial meeting of the African Potato Association will take place in Kampala, Uganda in 2025. [Extracted from the article]

Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] varieties can be distinguished by their flesh and skin colors (white, yellow, orange, and purple). The present study was undertaken to assess on-farm diversity and the status of genetic erosion of sweet potatoes in Haramaya district, Ethiopia. Data were collected for similarity/dissimilarity index, preference index, and genetic erosion. The result of the preference index indicated the highest preference index (25.60) with preference rank 1 recorded for the BeelaBochol genotype as the lowest preference index (12.10) was recorded for the BeelaBaleyso genotype. About 66% of the respondents use the intercropping system for sweet potato cultivation. The majority of respondents 97% observed loss of sweet potato varieties. Eighty-two percent of the respondent farmers suggested the use of their seed source for planting. About 73% of the respondents suggested the cultivation of sweet potato as a subsistence crop. The major constraints of sweet potato cultivation, as suggested by the respondents, were tiresome land preparation 37%, lack of improved variety 26%, land scarcity 23%, and market demand 15%. It can be concluded from the result of the present study that farmers can identify and prefer sweet potato genotypes frequently using storage root yield and boiled quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main challenge facing agricultural crop production in the current global climate change scenario is sustainability. Drought, as a yield‐limiting factor, has become a major threat to international food security. Tolerance to drought is a complex trait and its response is carried out by various genes, transcription factors, microRNAs, hormones, proteins, cofactors, ions and metabolites. The complexity of the trait has limited the development of drought‐tolerant sweet potato cultivars by traditional breeding. Advances in sweet potato breeding to exploit the full potential of the crop to contribute to improved and higher performing sweet potato cultivars, adapted to increasingly risky rainfed conditions, mainly drought, are key to making food production systems more efficient and more tolerant to pressure from drought and other stressors. Genetic gain for yield potential in sweet potato has improved mostly in African countries, mainly as a result of an accelerated breeding scheme. The focus on maximising the utilisation of molecular tools for sweet potato improvement and yield has been recently explored in breeding programmes in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This article provides an update on the trends and gaps in sweet potato breeding in SSA, reviewing the relevant strategies used to improve sweet potato in the region. Finally, the perspectives of using new advanced tools including genetic engineering and genome editing, and the challenges associated with climate change for further improvement of the crop are highlighted. Collaborative efforts in African countries are driving advances in breeding methods through the incorporation of molecular tools to develop drought‐tolerant sweet potato varieties that are important to global food security despite challenges posed by the drastic change in climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether the stems and leaves of leaf-vegetable sweet potatoes can be listed ahead of schedule is related to the improvement in economic benefits for farmers, and the key to all of this is to implement the safe overwintering of potato seedlings under the premise of saving production costs. Only in this way can we truly seize the "market opportunity" and achieve the goals of cost saving and increasing economic benefit. In this study, the main leaf-vegetable sweet potato variety Fucai 18 was used as the material, and the L9(34) orthogonal experiment was carried out in a simple solar greenhouse environment for two consecutive years from 2021 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2023, respectively. The effects of nine different combinations of factors on the above-ground and underground agronomic traits of overwintering sweet potato seedlings were studied under the conditions of four factors and three levels: planting density (a); different cutting seedlings (b); rooting agent concentration (c); and transplanting time (d). The methods of principal component analysis, membership function method, cluster analysis, grey correlation degree and stepwise regression analysis were used to evaluate the growth of overwintering seedlings, and try to screen out the key indicators that can be used to identify and evaluate the growth of overwintering sweet potato seedlings. Through range analysis, identify the optimal combination of four factors and three levels, and explore the main factors that have a significant impact on the key indicators for evaluating the growth of overwintering potato seedlings. The results indicate the following: (1) The use of simple sunlight greenhouse in Changsha area can achieve the safe overwintering of vegetable sweet potato seedlings. (2) Stem thickness, root length, and root diameter can be used as three key indicators for identifying and evaluating the growth potential of vegetable sweet potato overwintering seedlings. (3) Under four factors and three levels, the best combination was A3B3C1D1 (planting density of 250,000 plants/ha, stem tip core-plucking seedlings, rooting agent concentration of 50 mg/L, the first batch of transplanting time). (4) The transplanting time (D) is the main factor for the two key evaluation indicators of stem diameter and root diameter, while there is no significant difference in the three other factors. (5) Different cutting seedlings (B) are the main influencing factors for the key evaluation index of root length, while the other three factors have the following impact on root length: transplanting time (D) > rooting agent concentration (C) > planting density (A). The results of this study not only contribute to the construction of a safe overwintering cultivation technology system for vegetable sweet potato seedlings, but also provide a certain theoretical basis for the breeding of new cold-leaf-vegetable sweet potato varieties in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bacteria of genus Pectobacterium, encompassing economically significant pathogens affecting various plants, includes the species P. betavasculorum, initially associated with beetroot infection. However, its host range is much broader. It causes diseases of sunflower, potato, tomato, carrots, sweet potato, radish, squash, cucumber, and chrysanthemum. To explain this phenomenon, a comprehensive pathogenomic and phenomic characterisation of P. betavasculorum species was performed. Methods: Genomes of P. betavasculorum strains isolated from potato, sunflower, and artichoke were sequenced and compared with those from sugar beet isolates. Metabolic profiling and pathogenomic analyses were conducted to assess virulence determinants and adaptation potential. Pathogenicity assays were performed on potato tubers and chicory leaves to confirm in silico predictions of disease symptoms. Phenotypic assays were also conducted to assess the strains ability to synthesise homoserine lactones and siderophores. Results: The genome size ranged from 4.675 to 4.931 kbp, and GC % was between 51.0% and 51.2%. The pangenome of P. betavasculorum is open and comprises, on average, 4,220 gene families. Of these, 83% of genes are the core genome, and 2% of the entire pangenome are unique genes. Strains isolated from sugar beet have a smaller pangenome size and a higher number of unique genes than those from other plants. Interestingly, genomes of strains from artichoke and sunflower share 391 common CDS that are not present in the genomes of other strains from sugar beet or potato. Those strains have only one unique gene. All strains could use numerous sugars as building materials and energy sources and possessed a high repertoire of virulence determinants in the genomes. P. betavasculorum strains were able to cause disease symptoms on potato tubers and chicory leaves. They were also able to synthesise homoserine lactones and siderophores. Discussion: The findings underscore the adaptability of P. betavasculorum to diverse hosts and environments. Strains adapted to plants with high sugar content in tissues have a different composition of fatty acids in membranes and a different mechanism of replenishing nitrogen in case of deficiency of this compound than strains derived from other plant species. Extensive phenomics and genomic analyses performed in this study have shown that P. betavasculorum species is an agronomically relevant pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three sweet potato varieties with white-, yellow- and purple-fleshed root tubers were harvested at 100, 120, 140 and 160 days after planting (DAP). Their starch structural, thermal, pasting and digestion properties were measured to reveal the influences of harvesting dates on the physicochemical properties of sweet potato root tuber starch. Though starches from different varieties displayed some differences in physicochemical properties due to their different genetic backgrounds, they were influenced by harvesting date in similar ways. Starches isolated from root tubers at 100 and 160 DAP exhibited lower granule sizes than those at 120 and 140 DAP. The amylose content was higher in root tubers at 100 and 120 DAP than at 140 and 160 DAP. Starches from root tubers at 100 DAP exhibited CA-type X-ray diffraction patterns, and then the B-type crystallinity gradually increased at later harvesting dates. The different harvesting dates had no significant effects on the short-ranged ordered structure and lamellar thickness of starch, but the lamellar peak intensity decreased significantly at later harvesting dates. Starch had a lower gelatinization temperature and a wider gelatinization temperature range in root tubers at 140 and 160 DAP than at 100 and 120 DAP. The higher peak viscosity and lower pasting temperature were associated with the late harvesting date. The digestion of starch had slight differences among root tubers at different harvesting dates. The harvesting dates of root tubers played more important roles in starch properties than the variety. This study would be helpful for breeders, farmers and sweet potato starch users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to test the potential of calabash, sweet potato, pumpkin, simsim and finger millet to phytoaccumulate dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites from NHC Morogoro- and PPO Tengeru-contaminated sites. Parallel field and screenhouse-potted soil experiments were performed to assess the efficacy with which the test plants phytoaccumulate DDT from the soil. In the screenhouse experiment, treatments were laid out following a split-plot arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD), with the main plots comprising two DDT concentration levels–low (417 mg kg−1) or high (2308 mg kg−1)—and the plant species Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria siceraria, Ipomoea batatus, Sesamum indicum and Eleusine coracana were considered as subplots. A field experiment with the same crop species as the treatments was laid out in a randomized complete block design, and both experiments were performed in triplicate. In addition to determining the concentration of persistent organic pesticides in the soil profile, parameters such as the total DDT uptake by plants, shoot weight and shoot height were monitored in both potted soil and open field experiments. Overall, calabash and sweet potato exhibited the highest (4.63 mg kg−1) and second highest (3.45 mg kg−1) DDT concentrations from the high residual DDT potted soil experiment. A similar trend was observed when the two plants were grown in low DDT soil. Sweet potato recorded the highest shoot height and weight in the potted soil experiments, indicating that increasing amounts of DDT had a minimal effect on the plant's growth. Although sweet potato outperformed calabash in the amounts of DDT concentration in the shoots under open field experiments, the uptake of DDT by calabash was the second highest. Calabash—a wild non-edible plant in Tanzania—presents a potential phytoremediation alternative to edible and much studied pumpkin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effects of heat-moisture treatment on the physicochemical and structural properties of sweet potato starch, five types of sweet potato starch were used as the raw material, and their solubility, swelling power, water holding capacity, transmittance, and sedimentation were determined. Furthermore, the influence of heat-moisture treatment on the water absorption characteristics and crystal structure of sweet potato starch with different initial water contents was explored. The results showed that the solubility, swelling power, sedimentation, and transmittance of the five sweet potato starches treated with heat-moisture were all decreased when compared with the original starch, but their water holding capacity was increased, indicating that both sweet potato varieties and heat-moisture treatment had no significant effect on starch properties. There was no new diffraction characteristic peaks were found in sweet potato starch after heat-moisture treatment, the crystal type of those treated starch remained a C-type structure, but the diffraction intensity and crystallinity were decreased. The time required for the heat-moisture treated starch to reach equilibrium in water absorption was shorter than that of the original starch, and the saturated water absorption tended to decrease compared to the original starch. The soaking kinetic constants K1 and K2 from the Peleg model equation were calculated, and the water absorption kinetics equation of sweet potato starch after heat-moisture treatment was confirmed, achieving accurate prediction of its water content during the soaking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar vapor generation has been considered an appealing way to solve freshwater scarcity issues. Although several natural materials have been developed, the exploration of biomass materials with stable evaporation, simple processes, and low energy consumption is still necessary. Herein, sweet potato, a high‐yield natural plant, is explored to prepare a solar evaporator with a cross‐linked porous structure. Carbonized sweet potato exhibits a high evaporation rate of 1.7 kg m−2 h−1 and an excellent solar–thermal conversion efficiency of 76% under 1 sun. This demonstrates excellent photothermal ability and enhanced water evaporation performance. Thanks to the unobstructed cross‐linking structure and fast water transport, the salt does not accumulate on the evaporator's surface in high‐salinity brine (10–20 wt% NaCl) and the evaporation rate is 1.35 kg m−2 h−1. This suggests superior evaporative stability and self‐desalting capability. The purpose of this study is to provide an eco‐friendly, stable, and efficient evaporator, with salt resistance by simple processes, and to demonstrate the potential application of biomass materials in solar vapor generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) is a crucial staple and bioenergy crop. Its abiotic stress tolerance holds significant importance in fully utilizing marginal lands. Transcriptional processes regulate abiotic stress responses, yet the molecular regulatory mechanisms in sweet potato remain unclear. In this study, a NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor, IbNAC087, was identified, which is commonly upregulated in salt‐ and drought‐tolerant germplasms. Overexpression of IbNAC087 increased salt and drought tolerance by increasing jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation and activating reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, whereas silencing this gene resulted in opposite phenotypes. JA‐rich IbNAC087‐OE (overexpression) plants exhibited more stomatal closure than wild‐type (WT) and IbNAC087‐Ri plants under NaCl, polyethylene glycol, and methyl jasmonate treatments. IbNAC087 functions as a nuclear transcriptional activator and directly activates the expression of the key JA biosynthesis‐related genes lipoxygenase (IbLOX) and allene oxide synthase (IbAOS). Moreover, IbNAC087 physically interacted with a RING‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase NAC087‐INTERACTING E3 LIGASE (IbNIEL), negatively regulating salt and drought tolerance in sweet potato. IbNIEL ubiquitinated IbNAC087 to promote 26S proteasome degradation, which weakened its activation on IbLOX and IbAOS. The findings provide insights into the mechanism underlying the IbNIEL‐IbNAC087 module regulation of JA‐dependent salt and drought response in sweet potato and provide candidate genes for improving abiotic stress tolerance in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental 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.)

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world, with outstanding stress tolerance, but drought stress can lead to a significant decrease in its yield. To reveal the response mechanism of sweet potato to drought stress, an integrated physiological, transcriptome and metabolome investigations were conducted in the leaves of two sweet potato varieties, drought-tolerant zhenghong23 (Z23) and a more sensitive variety, jinong432 (J432). The results for the physiological indexes of drought showed that the peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of Z23 were 3.68 and 1.21 times higher than those of J432 under severe drought, while Z23 had a higher antioxidant capacity. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis showed the importance of the amino acid metabolism, respiratory metabolism, and antioxidant systems in drought tolerance. In Z23, amino acids such as asparagine participated in energy production during drought by providing substrates for the citrate cycle (TCA cycle) and glycolysis (EMP). A stronger respiratory metabolism ability could better maintain the energy supply level under drought stress. Drought stress also activated the expression of the genes encoding to antioxidant enzymes and the biosynthesis of flavonoids such as rutin, resulting in improved tolerance to drought. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance in sweet potato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sweet potato plants are important food security crops for millions of people in Africa. Objective: The present study was conducted to select orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties based on their growth parameters and adaptability. Material and Method: Adaptability evaluation was conducted in Sankura district (in the Siltie Zone) and Meskan District (in the Guraghe Zone). The experiment was conducted using four orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties laid out in the RCBD and three replications were performed. The following data were collected: number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, vine length, fresh weight and dry matter content. Results: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there was a highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) in the fresh weight yield per hectare and a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in the dry matter per plant (g) among the tested varieties and varieties*across environments, while there were nonsignificant differences among the tested varieties for the remaining parameters. Based on the mean values, the Kulfo variety was the first followed by the Kabode variety according to the fresh weight yield, whereas the least common variety was Alamura. Again, the Kulfo variety had the highest amount of root dry matter per plant, followed by the Kabode variety, while the Alamura variety had the lowest amount of root dry matter per plant. Conclusion: Therefore, in the future, it is essential to demonstrate the selected varieties to farmers for production in the study area through preextension and demonstrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was set up in Zákányszék on sandy soil in South Hungary. The area of the experiment is 133 m2. The experiment was set up with Orleans sweet potato variety, the two most advantageous characteristics of Orleans are high yield and the appearance sought after on the markets. We tested is there any significant difference between the control and the other three treatments (Florahumus applied to the soil, Florahumus applied to the foliage and Elice vaccine) in the sweet potato yield and the content value (dry matter, %; crude fat, g/kg; crude protein, g/kg; crude fibre, g/kg; crude ash, g/kg). It was found that between the control and the other three treatments there was no significant differences in the content of the sweet potatoes. There was a significant difference between the three treatments and the yield classification. The second class of tubers showed significant differences test at 5% level of significance. This means that we can have more income because we have less second classified tubers. In the future, it is recommended to set up further experiments, in which plant physiological parameters such as shade, water and soil moisture utilization should be investigated. Further nutritional studies should also be carried out to investigate how carotene content is affected by plant conditioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a perennial tuber, belongs to the botanical family Convolvulaceae and it is native to Central America. Sweet potatoes are an exceptionally essential crop in several parts of the world, growing well in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas, being produced in more than 100 countries. In different parts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The aim of this study is to present some innovative products with sweet potato and some fruits (jujube, pawpaw, kiwi, apricots, peaches, apple, pears) and customers' perception of this. The sweet potato tubers were provided from SCDCPN Dăbuleni and the other fruits from the experimental field within the Faculty of Horticulture, Bucharest. The products were prepared at the pastry "Moesis by Angelo", in Tulcea, Romania and in the Integrated Fruit Growing Laboratory, and the tasting was made at the Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products. Customers' perception consisted on the evaluation of general appearance, color, texture, taste and flavor, noticed with grades from 1 to 7, using a Hedonic scale, and it was made by specialized persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out on three ornamental varieties of Ipomoea batatas ('Heart Bronze', 'Black', 'Heart Lime') grown in the field and in pots. Four types of substrate were used for pot culture: garden soil + peat, garden soil + peat + hydrogel, garden soil + peat + coconut fiber, garden soil + peat + coconut fiber + hydrogel. In field conditions, the plants from the three varieties were distinguished by a larger size than in the pots. Also, in the field, the higher degree of stem branching was recorded in 'Black' and the longest branches in 'Heart Lime'. The substrate garden soil + peat favored the length of the branches in all the varieties studied. The garden soil + peat + hydrogel at 'Heart Lime' and the garden soil + peat + coconut fiber at 'Heart Bronze' had a positive effect on the degree of branching. The use of twofactor ANOVA analysis indicates a strong influence of both the variety and the cultivation system on the morphological characters analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the unexploited potential of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) optimization techniques in enhancing different drying methods and their influence on the characteristics of various sweet potato varieties. Focusing on the intricate interplay between drying methods and the unique characteristics of white, pink, orange, and purple sweet potatoes, the presented experimental study indicates the impact of ANN-driven optimization on food-related characteristics such as color, phenols content, biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory), chemical, and mineral contents. The results unveil significant variations in drying method efficacy across different sweet potato types, underscoring the need for tailored optimization strategies. Specifically, purple sweet potatoes emerge as robust carriers of phenolic compounds, showcasing superior antioxidant activities. Furthermore, this study reveals the optimized parameters of dried sweet potato, such as total phenols content of 1677.76 mg/100 g and anti-inflammatory activity of 8.93%, anti-hyperglycemic activity of 24.42%. The upgraded antioxidant capability is presented through DPPH●, ABTS●+, RP, and SoA assays with values of 1500.56, 10,083.37, 3130.81, and 22,753.97 μg TE/100 g, respectively. Additionally, the moisture content in the lyophilized sample reached a minimum of 2.97%, holding favorable chemical and mineral contents. The utilization of ANN optimization proves instrumental in interpreting complex interactions and unlocking efficiencies in sweet potato drying processes, thereby contributing valuable insights to food science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department 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.)

Microclones of in vitro vegetable sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) were received and the formation of colors on their leaves was studied. The studies were carried out on three varieties of sweet potato that differ in the color of their pulp and the peel of the tubers as well as in different ripening periods: Purple, Jewel, and Muskatny. The effect of ½ norm of mineral salts MS medium, 1 norm MS and 1½ norm MS on the morphometric parameters of sweet potato microclones was studied. It was established that the use of ½ norm of mineral salts according to MS medium led to the production of rapidly growing axillary and adventitious shoots and the formation of a powerful root system in the basal part of microcuttings. The formation of secretory outgrowths was found for the first time on the leaves of sweet potato microclones when cultured under in vitro conditions. Neoplasms were referred to colleters and their characteristics were given. The dependence of the colleter formation on the microclone leaves on the cycles of culture is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sweet potato, which is an important tuber crop in China, is susceptible to a variety of pathogens and insect pests during cultivation and production. Stem rot is a common sweet potato disease that seriously affects tuber yield and quality. Unfortunately, there have been relatively few studies on the mechanism mediating the stem rot resistance of sweet potatoes. In this study, a transcriptome sequencing analysis was completed using Xushu 48 samples at different stages (T1, T2, and T3) of the stem rot infection. The T1 vs. T2, T1 vs. T3, and T2 vs. T3 comparisons detected 44,839, 81,436, and 61,932 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. The DEGs encoded proteins primarily involved in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism (ko00250), carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms (ko00710), and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism (ko00520). Furthermore, some candidate genes induced by phytopathogen infections were identified, including gene-encoding receptor-like protein kinases (RLK5 and RLK7), an LRR receptor-like serine/threonine protein kinase (SERK1), and transcription factors (bHLH137, ERF9, MYB73, and NAC053). The results of this study provide genetic insights that are relevant to future explorations of sweet potato stem rot resistance, while also providing the theoretical basis for breeding sweet potato varieties that are resistant to stem rot and other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat treatment is a widely applied technique in the preservation of fruits and vegetables, effectively addressing issues such as disease management, rot prevention, and browning. In this study, we investigated the impact of heat treatment at 35 °C for 24 h on the quality characteristics and disease resistance of two sweet potato varieties, P32/P (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. cv 'Pushu13') and Xinxiang (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. cv 'Xinxiang'). The growth in vitro and reproduction of Rhizopus stolonifer were significantly inhibited at 35 °C. However, it resumed when returned to suitable growth conditions. The heat treatment (at 35 °C for 24 h) was found to mitigate nutrient loss during storage while enhancing the structural characteristics and free radical scavenging capacity of sweet potato. Additionally, it led to increased enzyme activities for APX, PPO, and POD, alongside decreased activities for Cx and PG, thereby enhancing the disease resistance of sweet potato against soft rot. As a result, the heat treatment provided a theoretical basis for the prevention of sweet potato soft rot and had guiding significance for improving the resistance against sweet potato soft rot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato greens are an underused but highly nutritious vegetable that grows well in urban environments and could help alleviate food insecurity and related health problems. Therefore, trials were conducted in field rows and a green roof with seven varieties of sweet potatoes to determine whether 1) they differed in their production of greens and 2) harvesting greens influenced yield or nutrients of storage roots. There was no difference in the mass of sweet potatoes greens harvested among the varieties in either production system. Harvesting greens severely reduced the harvested mass of storage roots, although it increased the content of eight minerals in storage roots, including boron, calcium, copper, iron, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, and zinc. Urban farmers may have to decide whether harvesting greens or storage roots are their primary objective if harvesting the former limits the latter. Future research should explore the timing of harvesting greens and the amount taken to see if different methods allow for a high yield of storage roots that are high in nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to extract and characterize the morphological, physicochemical, thermal, and rheological properties of the starches of native potatoes grown in the department of Puno. Among the varieties evaluated were sweet native potato varieties Imilla Negra (Solanum tuberosum spp. Andígena), Imilla Blanca (Solanum tuberosum spp. Andígena), Peruanita, Albina or Lomo (Solanum chaucha), and Sutamari, and the bitter potatoes Rucki or Luki (Solanum juzepczukii Buk), Locka (Solanum curtilobum), Piñaza (Solanum curtilobum), and Ocucuri (Sola-num curtilobum), acquired from the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA-Puno). The proximal composition, amylose content, and morphological, thermal, and rheological properties that SEM, DSC, and a rheometer determined, respectively, were evaluated, and the data obtained were statistically analyzed using a completely randomized design and then a comparison of means using Tukey's LSD test. The results show a significant difference in the proximal composition (p ≤ 0.05) concerning moisture content, proteins, fat, ash, and carbohydrates. Thus, the amylose content was also determined, ranging from 23.60 ± 0.10 to 30.33 ± 0.15%. The size morphology of the granules is 13.09–47.73 µm; for the thermal and rheological properties of the different varieties of potato starch, it is shown that the gelatinization temperature is in a range of 57 to 62 °C and, for enthalpy, between 3 and 5 J/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potatoes serve as a staple food and animal feed in Africa and serve as a source of raw materials for the food, feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and energy industries. The yield of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes is increased when nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are added to low-fertility soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient uptake and use efficiency of orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties under applied N and P. The experiment was conducted for two growing seasons (2019 and 2020) under rain-fed conditions in the field. The study included five orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties (Kulfo, Kabode, Alamura, Dilla, and NASPOT-12), three N levels (0, 23, and 46 kg·N·ha−1), and two levels of P (0 and 46 kg P2O5·ha−1) fertilizers designed in 5 × 3 × 2 with α-lattice design in factorial arrangement using 3 replications. The interaction effect of variety, N, and P fertilizers affected nutrient uptake, physiological efficiency, and agronomic efficiency of sweet potatoes. NASPOT-12 was the better variety in nutrient uptake but poor in apparent recovery at all levels of N and P. The highest nutrient uptake, agronomic efficiency, and physiological efficiency were observed on NASPOT-12 when subjected to 23 kg N·ha−1 and 46 kg P2O5·ha−1. Overall, NASPOT-12 with 23 kg·N·ha−1 and 46 kg P2O5·ha−1 could be recommended for its high nutrient uptake, agronomic, and physiological efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People are becoming more conscious of the relationship between nutrition and health. Research has been conducted on the presence of anthocyanins in purple sweet potatoes, as this bioactive compound not only imparts the bright purple color to its flesh but also holds the potential for health benefits. Anthocyanins have activity as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and have the potential as phytoestrogens. This study aims to investigate the effect of processing methods on anthocyanin content in purple sweet potatoes. The material used consisted of purple sweet potatoes of the Biang variety. The chemicals employed for analysis distilled included water, pH 1 buffer solution, and pH 4.5 buffer solution. Anthocyanins were determined using the pH differential method (AOAC Official Method 2005.02) measured with UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The raw samples showed mean value of anthocyanin 49.58 (SD 16.59)mg/kg, the steamed samples displayed median value 67.29 (range 48.04-148.50) mg/kg, and the mean value of anthocyanin in the water extract was 130.70 (SD 13.17) mg/kg. The water extract method consistently produces highest anthocyanin content than the others. This study showed that heating and food processing will affect anthocyanin levels. To preserve optimal nutritional content, selection of food processing methods and specific anthocyanin source should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]