Hplc Analysis and Changes in Carbohydrate Content in Potato Tubers Stored at Ambient Temperature

Ashutosh K. Mittal, K. C. Gupta and N. K. Sand*

Department of Chemistry, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145 (India)

A sensitive, rapid and reliable method has been developed for the quantification of fructose, glucose and sucrose content of potato tubers, during storage for a period of twelve weeks. The separation was achieved on a μ-Bondapak-NH2 column using RCN: H2O (80:20 v/v) mobile phase at a flow rate of 2.5 ml/min. and refractive index detector. Potato tubers accumulated considerable amount of total sugars, when stored under ambient conditions from March to June, 1997 (monthly average temperature between 24 to 36°C). Sucrose was the main component of reducing sugar accumulated during the storage.

Carbohydrate content; HPLC analysis; ambient temperature