Author
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Suttle, Jeffrey |
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Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2008 Publication Date: 11/4/2008 Citation: Suttle, J.C. 2008. Symposium Introduction: Enhancing the Nutritional Value of Potato Tubers. American Journal of Potato Research. 85:266. Interpretive Summary: The potato is the world’s fourth largest food crop and is a staple in many diets around the world. In addition to being a source of highly digestible carbohydrate and nutritionally complete protein, the potato is also an excellent source of other essential nutrients and vitamins. Limited studies have shown that potato germplasm contains a wide-range of phytonutrients and there is ample opportunity for significant increases in the nutrient content of potatoes through conventional breeding programs. In addition, there is an ever-increasing body of evidence that the use of transgenic technologies can raise nutrient content still higher and introduce additional vitamins and other beneficial compounds not normally present in potato tubers or other storage organs. This symposium to brings together experts to assess current knowledge of potato nutrient content, pre- and postharvest management strategies for enhancing or maintaining nutritional quality, and prospects for further improvements of nutritional value of potatoes through conventional breeding and transgenic manipulation. It is hoped that the information presented in this symposium stimulates greater interest in this exciting topic and serves as an impetus for future research directed toward the nutritional improvement of the potato and benefits to human health. The symposium was held on August 13, 2007 at the 91st Annual Meeting of The Potato Association of America in Idaho Falls, ID USA. Technical Abstract: The potato is the world’s fourth largest food crop and is a staple in many diets around the world. In addition to being a source of highly digestible carbohydrate and nutritionally complete protein, the potato is also an excellent source of other essential nutrients and vitamins. Limited studies have shown that potato germplasm contains a wide-range of phytonutrients and there is ample opportunity for significant increases in the nutrient content of potatoes through conventional breeding programs. In addition, there is an ever-increasing body of evidence that the use of transgenic technologies can raise nutrient content still higher and introduce additional vitamins and other beneficial compounds not normally present in potato tubers or other storage organs. This symposium to brings together experts to assess current knowledge of potato nutrient content, pre- and postharvest management strategies for enhancing or maintaining nutritional quality, and prospects for further improvements of nutritional value of potatoes through conventional breeding and transgenic manipulation. It is hoped that the information presented in this symposium stimulates greater interest in this exciting topic and serves as an impetus for future research directed toward the nutritional improvement of the potato and benefits to human health. The symposium was held on August 13, 2007 at the 91st Annual Meeting of The Potato Association of America in Idaho Falls, ID USA. |
