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Potato quality XVIII : The distribution of radioiron in the potato tuber and its significance in after-cooking darkening

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Summary

Radiotracer techniques were used to study the distribution of iron in intact potato tuber sections. Autoradiographs of longitudinal tuber sections show that iron is particularly concentrated at the stem end of the tuber just below the periderm. Accumulation of radioiron in other tissues, i.e. internal phloem and vascular ring, is shown by autoradiographs of tuber cross-sections. Radioiron was also found to be concentrated in meristematic areas, especially at lateral buds. A parallel is noted between areas of iron accumulation and areas in the tuber reported to be associated with after-cooking darkening. The distribution of iron is probably more important than previously realized in determining the distribution of after-cooking darkening in individual potato tubers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Vegetable Crops, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

    R. T. Wurster (Research Assistant) & Ora Smith (Professor)

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  1. R. T. Wurster
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  2. Ora Smith
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Paper No. 485, Department of Vegetable Crops, Cornell University.

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Wurster, R.T., Smith, O. Potato quality XVIII : The distribution of radioiron in the potato tuber and its significance in after-cooking darkening. American Potato Journal 40, 415–420 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02849440

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02849440

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