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The release of methyl chloride from potato tubers

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Abstract

Freshly harvested Norchip and Kennebec tubers release varied amounts of methyl chloride (CH3Cl) during suberization. Maximum rates of CH3Cl release, ranging from 98-690 ng CH3Cl/kg tubers/hr under laboratory and commercial conditions, were attained 2–3 days following harvest. Release rates thereafter decreased 10-40-fold by the 7th day of suberization. The period of rapid decrease in CH3Cl release corresponds to the reported time required by cut tuber tissue to initiate resistance to water loss. Cutting of newly harvested and suberized Kennebec tubers reestablished the high release rates of CH3Cl measured during the early stages of suberization. The enhancement of CH3Cl release by tissue cutting was not demonstrated by two varieties stored for 10 months. Suberization differences between early and late harvested Norchip tubers were better differentiated by their respective rates of CH3Cl release than by CO2 generation. These preliminary findings suggest the rate of CH3Cl release could be applied to assess harvest damage and monitor the suberization process. Methyl chloride has previously been reported as the major nonindustrial chlorocarbon in the atmosphere that is linked to a replenishable, natural source.

Resumen

Tubérculos de las variedades Norchip y Kennebec cosechados frescos liberan cantidades variables de cloruro de metilo (CH3Cl) durante la suberización.

Las tasas de producción de CH3Cl, que fluctuaron entre 98-690 ng de CH3Cl por kg de tubérculos por hors bajo condiciones de laboratorio y comerciales, fueron alcanzadas 2 á 3 días después de la cosecha. Estas tasas disminuyeron 10 á 40 veces al 7mo día de suberización. El período de rápida disminución de producción de CH3Cl corresponde al período requerido por los tejidos del tubérculo cortada en iniciar resistencia a la pérdida de agua. Cortar tubérculos recién cosechados y suberizados de la variedad Kennebec, reiniciaron alta producción de CH3Cl medida durante los primeros estados de suberización. El estimular la producción de CH3Cl mediante el cortar tejidos, no fué obtenido por dos variedades almacenadas por 10 meses. Las diferencias en suberización entre tubérculos de la variedad Norchip, cosechados temprano y tardiamente, fueron diferenciados más claramente por sus respectivas tasas de producción de CH3Cl que por la generación de CO2. Estos resultados preliminares sugieren que la tasa de producción de CH3Cl podría ser aplicada para evaluar daños de cosecha y para seguir el proceso de suberización. El cloruro de metilo ha sido mencionado antes como el mayor producto clorocarbonado no industrial en la atmósfera, que está relacionado a una fuente natural reproducible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Red River Valley Potato Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research-United States Department of Agriculture, USA

    Jerry L. Varns (Research Biochemist)

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  1. Jerry L. Varns
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This is a Laboratory cooperatively operated by the United States Department of Agriculture; the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station; the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; and the Red River Valley Potato Grower’s Association.

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Varns, J.L. The release of methyl chloride from potato tubers. American Potato Journal 59, 593–604 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02867599

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