Comparative Study of the Nutritional Properties of 67 Potato Cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.) Grown in China Using the Nutrient-Rich Foods (NRF11.3) Index

Mineral, Vitamin and Phytonutrients Content in Different Andean Potato Varieties Reintroduced in the North West Region, Argentina (NOA)

The mineral content, vitamin C, and chlorogenic acid were determined in 44 genotypes of Andean potatoes reintroduced in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina. This initiative aims to promote biodiversity and support local producers by determining the nutritional and functional properties of these genotypes. The genotypes from a collection in the Germplasm Bank of INTA Balcarce, were planted in sandy clay loam soils and harvested manually. The tubers obtained showed significant variability in size, even within the same genotype. The maximum yield was 0.60 kg/plant, with the CL 621 genotype having the highest yield. Genotype CL836 stands up for its high content of Mg, Ca, and Zn (190.3 ± 10.5; 112.2 ± 1.9; 1.29 ± 0.12 mg/100 g dw, respectively); CL 790 for its Mn content (2.09 ± 0.048 mg/100 g dw), and CL 516 and CCS 1349 are rich in Zn and Ca (2.23 ± 0.08 and 123.11 ± 6.88 mg/100 g dw) respectively. The highest contents of Vitamin C and chlorogenic acid corresponded to the CCS1385 and CL 631 genotypes (17.62 ± 0.11; 91.64 ± 1.82 mg/100 g dw) respectively. According to the correlation analysis, the highest content of antioxidants was in small tubers. This information will allow promoting the cultivation of genotypes that contribute to the nutritional security of the local population.

Towards a Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus index: A review of nutrient profile models as a fundamental pillar of food and nutrition security

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach should be promoted as a tool for sustainable management of resources through the interconnection of these three fundamental pillars. Particularly, food security must ensure healthy and balanced diets for everyone, but selecting individual indicators to assess all slants covered by this element is not an easy task. Hence, the objective of this paper is two-fold, to review nutrient profiling (NP) models that allow to categorize foods and evaluate diets based on their nutritional quality, and to choose the most appropriate model to be used within a WEF nexus index. To address this issue, a total of 159 documents were assessed, appraising the geographic distribution, and time evolution of the publications, as well as the characteristics and potential applications of the NP systems. The review concludes that the NRF9.3. model is the most liable option to be used in a WEF nexus index, presenting the best characteristics by means of the definition of scores and thresholds, and the use of an 'across-the-board' criteria and a reference quantity of 100 kcal, alongside offering higher ability to assess diets and foods than the other competitive model (HEI) through the evaluation of nutrients to encourage instead of foods. A secondary outcome of the review is the identification of the NP models as a useful tool to enable institutions with information to establish policies in the field of public health and facilitating the decision-making process according to the current healthy claims.

Antioxidants in Potatoes: A Functional View on One of the Major Food Crops Worldwide

With a growing world population, accelerating climate changes, and limited arable land, it is critical to focus on plant-based resources for sustainable food production. In addition, plants are a cornucopia for secondary metabolites, of which many have robust antioxidative capacities and are beneficial for human health. Potato is one of the major food crops worldwide, and is recognized by the United Nations as an excellent food source for an increasing world population. Potato tubers are rich in a plethora of antioxidants with an array of health-promoting effects. This review article provides a detailed overview about the biosynthesis, chemical and health-promoting properties of the most abundant antioxidants in potato tubers, including several vitamins, carotenoids and phenylpropanoids. The dietary contribution of diverse commercial and primitive cultivars are detailed and document that potato contributes much more than just complex carbohydrates to the diet. Finally, the review provides insights into the current and future potential of potato-based systems as tools and resources for healthy and sustainable food production.