Effects of (<i>S</i>)-Carvone and Gibberellin on Sugar Accumulation in Potatoes during Low Temperature Storage

• Main Authors: Yajing Xie, Jakaria Chowdhury Onik, Xiaojia Hu, Yuquan Duan, Qiong Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: cold-induced sweetening; potato; gibberellin; (<i>S</i>)-carvone; postharvest storage
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/12/3118

Potato tubers (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) are usually stored at low temperature, which can suppress sprouting and control the occurrence of diseases. However, low temperatures lead potatoes to easily suffer from cold-induced sweetening (CIS), which has a negative effect on food processing. The aim of this research was to investigate potential treatments on controlling CIS in potatoes during postharvest storage. &#8220;Atlantic&#8222; potatoes were treated with gibberellin and (<i>S</i>)-carvone, respectively, and stored at 4 &#176;C for 90 days. The results showed that gibberellin can significantly accelerate sprouting and sugar accumulation by regulating expressions of <i>ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase</i> (<i>AGPase</i>), <i>granule-bound starch synthase</i> (<i>GBSS</i>), <i>&#946;-amylase</i> (<i>BAM1/2</i>), <i>UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase</i> (<i>UGPase</i>) and <i>invertase inhibitor</i> (<i>INH1/2</i>) genes. The opposite effects were found in the (<i>S</i>)-carvone treatment group, where CIS was inhibited by modulation of the expressions of <i>GBSS</i> and <i>INH1/2</i> genes. In summary, gibberellin treatment can promote sugar accumulation while (<i>S</i>)-carvone treatment has some effects on alleviating sugar accumulation. Thus, (<i>S</i>)-carvone can be considered as a potential inhibitor of some of the sugars which are vital in controlling CIS in potatoes. However, the chemical concentration, treatment time, and also the treatment method needs to be optimized before industrial application.