Wild Versus Cultivated: Assessing the Nutritional Superiority of a Diploid Potato Species Solanum okadae for Future Food Security.

Potatoes are a global staple, yet their nutritional potential is underutilized. This study evaluates the biochemical and nutritional composition of Solanum okadae (S. okadae), a wild diploid potato species, compared to the cultivated S. tuberosum "Celandine," assessing its potential for dietary improvement and biofortification. Standard biochemical assays were used to analyze proximate composition, vitamins, mineral content via ICP-MS, and amino acids via HPLC/FD. S. okadae exhibited higher carbohydrate (18.47 g/100 g) and protein (2.1 g/100 g) content than S. tuberosum. Mineral profiling revealed significantly higher potassium (30.10 g/kg), calcium (2.92 g/kg), iron (28.42 ppm), and zinc (21.31 ppm) levels in S. okadae. It also contained more vitamin C (10.69 mg/100 g) and an uncommon presence of vitamin B12 (0.28 mg/100 g). Amino acid profiling showed higher leucine (5.62 g/kg) and lysine (5.46 g/kg) levels, indicating S. okadae's protein quality. Its lower moisture content (75.9 g/100 g) suggests better postharvest stability, while minimal trans fat (< 0.02 g/100 g) supports cardiovascular health. S. okadae is a nutrient-dense alternative to cultivated potatoes, providing higher essential macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It holds potential for breeding programs and biofortification. Further research should explore its large-scale cultivation and adaptability to enhance global food security.