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Ethylene in the Atmosphere of Commercial Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Storage Bins and Potential Effects on Tuber Respiration Rate and Fried Chip Color

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Abstract

Careful storage management is required to maintain post-harvest potato tuber quality. The plant growth regulator ethylene has well documented effects on potato tuber respiration rate, fried product color, and sprouting, but data on the amount of ethylene present in ventilated potato storages and how ethylene may affect tubers in commercial storage are not available. To address this need, ethylene concentration in ventilated commercial storage bins located in central Wisconsin was quantified using gas chromatography from shortly after bin filling until unloading. Samples of the storage atmosphere were collected approximately every other week from 17, 18 and 14 storage bins in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Ethylene was present transiently, and only rarely at concentrations greater than 20 nl l−1. In laboratory-scale experiments, chipping potato tubers responded to ethylene at 20 nl l−1 with an increase in tuber respiration rate, but not with an increase in post-fry chip darkening. These data indicate that the impact of atmospheric ethylene on tuber quality and storage management in ventilated potato storages is likely to be small, except near localized regions of high ethylene production.

Resumen

Se requiere manejo cuidadoso en el almacén para mantener la calidad del tubérculo de papa en postcosecha. El regulador de crecimiento vegetal etileno tiene efectos bien documentados en el nivel de respiración del tubérculo de papa, sobre el color del producto freído y en la brotación, pero no hay datos disponibles sobre la cantidad de etileno presente en almacenamientos ventilados de papa, y de cómo el etileno pudiera afectar a los tubérculos en almacenamiento comercial. Para atender esta necesidad se cuantificó la concentración de etileno en unidades de almacenamiento comercial ventilado ubicados en la parte central de Wisconsin, usando cromatografía de gases, desde justo después del llenado hasta cuando se vaciaron. Se colectaron muestras de la atmosfera del almacén aproximadamente cada dos semanas de 17, 18 y 14 almacenes en 2010, 2011 y 2012, respectivamente. El etileno estuvo presente intermitentemente, y solo raramente en concentraciones mayores a 20 nl–l−1. En experimentos a nivel laboratorio, los tubérculos de freído respondieron al etileno a 20 nl l−1 con incremento en el nivel de respiración del tubérculo, pero no con aumento en oscurecimiento de la hojuela posterior al freído. Estos datos indican que el impacto del etileno atmosférico en la calidad del tubérculo y el manejo en almacenes ventilados de papa, es probable que sea pequeño, excepto cerca de regiones localizadas de alta producción de etileno.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks Heartland Farms, Hancock, WI and Mortenson Brothers Farms, Plainfield, WI for access to their potato storages. Financial support from the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Chip Committee and United States Potato Board is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vegetable Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS and Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Paul C. Bethke

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  1. Paul C. Bethke
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Correspondence to Paul C. Bethke.

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Bethke, P.C. Ethylene in the Atmosphere of Commercial Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Storage Bins and Potential Effects on Tuber Respiration Rate and Fried Chip Color. Am. J. Potato Res. 91, 688–695 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-014-9400-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-014-9400-1

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