Potato tuber metabolomics-based prediction of chip color quality and application using gas chromatography/flame ionization detector

ABSTRACT

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers are usually harvested once a year; thus, long-term storage is required to supply quality-assured tubers throughout the year. Further, an applicable method to predict tuber quality during storage is needed. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) metabolomics was applied to identify applicable biomarkers for prediction of potato chip color based on 3 years’ field-grown tubers. The projections to latent structures (PLS) prediction model, calculated from a metabolome data set obtained before storage, was consistent with actual measured chip color values. Additionally, GC with frame ionization detector (GC/FID) metabolite fingerprinting simultaneously re-constructed more reliable and relevant prediction models for chip color quality compared to GC/MS. Moreover, nine metabolites detected by GC/MS analysis were further validated as applicable prediction markers. This strategy will provide a practical and cost-effective quality-control tool for potato processing manufacturers on an industrial scale.

Graphical abstract

GC/MS and GC/FID metabolomics was applied to identify applicable biomarkers for prediction of potato chip color.

KEYWORDS:

• Potato
• metabolomics
• chip color quality
• prediction

Author contribution

T.F. designed and performed the experiments and analyzed the data. K.T carried out GC/FID measurements and analysis. T.F. wrote the manuscript in consultation with E.F. and T.B. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

We thank members of the Hokuren Eniwa Research Station for sample development. We also would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.