The Effect of Field Heat Reduction Methods on Fresh and Processing Qualities of Red and Russet Potato Cultivars

The effect of three field heat reduction methods, including temperature lowering stepwise (TLS), temperature lowering gradually (TLG), and temperature lowering immediately (TLI), after harvesting on the quality of Russet Norkotah 3 and red skin numbered line CO 07102-1R potatoes were investigated. The tubers were analyzed at harvest (0 time), when they reached 3 °C, and after 6 months of storage at 3 °C for physiological weight loss, firmness, wound healing, total phenolics content, reducing sugars, and color of french fries. The results indicated that weight and firmness losses were lower under the TLS reduction method after 6 months of storage than TLG and TLI methods. The weight loss in TLS is 12%, TLG 14% and TLI 17% in CO 07102-1R whereas Russet Norkotah TLS is 4%, TLG 6%, and TLI 8% respectively. Wound healing was more effective using the TLS reduction method, especially in Russet Norkotah 3. French fry color was lighter at harvest (USDA grade 0), while there were no differences in the color of French fries prepared from tubers stored under the TLS and TLG methods (both had USDA grade 2). French fries were darker for tubers from the TLI method (USDA grade 4). The total phenolic content and reducing sugars were significantly increased in the TLI field heat reduction method. Keywords: Potato, Storage management, Wound healing, Weight loss, French fry