Andean potato biodiversity: genetic, morphological, nutritional and functional characterization

CALLIOPE SONIA; LOBO MANUEL; SAMMAN NORMA

Hyderabad

Congreso; 11° International Food Data Conference; 2015

FAO, INFOODS

Andean potato (Solanum tuberosum andigena) originated in South America are a staple food of the population of the Andean region; there is great biodiversity but only a few varieties are currently grown. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and provide information about their genetic, morphological, nutritional and functional characteristics. In the gene bank (INTA-Balcarce), varieties collected from regional producers are preserved. IPAF-INTA jointly with CAUQUEVA (producer cooperative)   and Faculty of Engineering, UNJu, multiplied 44 genotypes characterized genetically, two consecutive years in Tilcara, Jujuy-Argentina. Morphological characteristics using 8 phenotypic descriptors; proximate composition, mineral content, vitamin C (AOAC methods) and functional compounds (polyphenols, anthocyanins and total carotene) were analyzed. Factorial analysis of correspondence (AFCS), hierarchical classification and description of modalities with the test value V Test were used for clustering of genotypes for the evaluated characters. Nutrients ranges obtained: protein 2.01- 4.50; ash 1.04-1.52; lipids 0.10-0.29, carbohydrates 15.08-21.8 g/100g; potassium 280-390, sodium 3.2-12.2, calcium 1-3, magnesium 7.7-13.9, iron 0.8-1.8 mg/100g; total polyphenols 92-175; vitamin C 8-64; total carotenoids 100-600 ug/100g; anthocyanins 0.15-1.98 g equivalent cyaniding-3-glucoside/100g. The most common shape was round, with shallow eyes. The skin main colors were beige, yellow and violet, and black, orange and pink secondary prevailing. Potato pulp has beige, white and pale yellow as predominant with no secondary colors. The AFCS separated the 44 genotypes into 5 classes, generating highly significant differences between morphological characters and carbohydrate, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe and  polyphenols content mainly. The class with high-functional compounds presents predominance of red, purple and black skin colors. Morphological characters differentiate another group, probably of industrial interest, for size and shape. Knowledge on the nutritional and functional properties of the different varieties of Andean potatoes contributes to promoting the cultivation of different varieties depending on properties and also the preservation of biodiversity as part of the regional heritage of Argentina.