The impact of ventilation conditions on the quality of Rio Grande Russet tubers during long-term cold storage

The effect of speed and duration of ventilation fans on the quality of russet potatoes (Rio Grande Russet) stored at 5 °C ± 2 and 95% RH ± 5 in 2016 and 2017 seasons was investigated. Three fans moved air at three rates: 52 cubic feet per minute (CFM), 13 CFM, or 0.6 CFM and operated under continuous or intermittent control. This investigation included a zero-ventilation control. The tubers were analyzed periodically for weight loss, texture, ethylene production, respiration rate, sprouting incidence, power consumption, and nutritional value (total phenolics, total flavonoids, reducing sugars, and ascorbic acid) during the storage period. The results indicated that the rate of weight loss was higher under continuous high CFM ventilation. Intermittent ventilation at 0.6 CFM significantly reduced weight loss and have turgid tubers when compared with the control. There was a significant difference in sprouting rate and power consumption between continuous and intermittent ventilation. Continuous ventilation at 52 CFM significantly increased total flavonoid content and decreased reducing sugars compared to intermittent ventilation at 0.6 CFM. This study indicates the importance of using slow and medium CFM fans in long-term potato storages to reduce tuber weight loss and power consumption.