The effect of sunlight on the content of thiocyanates, Sugars And Starches In Accessions of Tropaeolum Tuberosum Ruíz & Pavón

Abstract

The objective of the study was to identify accessions of T. tuberosum with highest quantities of thiocyanates, starches and sugars. The study was performed in Cevallos, Ecuador. Six accessions were cultivated in six individual plots and processed. The Yellow, White and Purple accessions were exposed to sunlight for periods of 3, 6 and 9 days. The resulting biomass was analysed: The Purple variety presented the greatest quantity of thiocyanates (663 mg/100g) after three days’ exposure. Meanwhile, the Yellow variety showed the highest amount of starches (47%) and total sugars in freshly-harvesting. The results reveal the potential of these accessions as a source of starch and thiocyanate.