Effect of growing conditions and storage on the total anthocyanin content in potatoes with coloured flesh

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of cultivar, flesh colour, location, year and long-term cold storage on the total anthocyanin content (TAC) in the tubers of 12 potato cultivars with coloured flesh. TAC ranged from 17.0 to 750.1 mg cyanidin/kg fresh matter and was significantly affected by the genotype of the cultivar. The highest TAC was achieved in a three-year average in the cv. Vitelotte (371.0 mg/kg FM, 1.15–8.10 times higher than in the other cultivars). The purple or red colour of the flesh had no significant effect on the TAC. A significantly higher TAC (1.24 times) was determined in the Valečov location with a cooler climate in comparison with the Uhříněves location with a warmer climate. The TAC was significantly influenced by year, the highest values were found at both sites in the year with significant water stress. Storage (4°C, 6 months) significantly affected the TAC in seven out of eight cultivars; the TAC increased in four cultivars and decreased in three cultivars. This is probably due to different disposition of cultivars for the accumulation of sugars during cold storage.