Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato Research Articles

Functional and Sensory Quality of Complementary Food Blended with Moringa Leaf Powder

Functional and Sensory Quality of Complementary porridge made from Moringa Leaf Powder blended with Pearl millet, Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato, Dateswas evaluated using standard methods. The Pearl millet grain flour, Moringa leaf powder and dates were blended in ratios of 90:2.5:7.5 [PmMD1], 95:2.5:2.5 [PmMD2], 88:3:9 [PmMD3] respectively. Also, Pearl millet grain flour, Moringa leaf powder and Orange fleshed sweet potato were blended in ratios of 95.5:2:2.5 [PmMP1], 88:2:10 [PmMP2], 95:2.5:2.5 [PmMP3], respectively. The ratios were calculated based on Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for children aged 1-2 years. Control sample was blended with Pearl millet, Dates and Orange fleshed sweet potato in a ratio of 50:15:35 [PmDP], respectively. A significant difference (p<0.05) in bulk density and viscosity were observed due to the difference in amounts of Orange fleshed sweet potato and Dates. No significant difference (p>0.05) in water absorption capacity was observed. Sensory evaluation showed significant difference (p<0.05) between all samples and in all sensory parameters namely aroma, taste, color and overall acceptability. The sample PmDP was the most accepted in terms of colorwhereas PmMP2 was the most accepted in terms of aroma, taste and overall acceptability. Quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the intensity of color, aroma, sweetness, thickness and grittiness among the samples. No significant difference (p>0.05) in the intensity of color, aroma, thickness and grittiness. There was a significant difference in the intensity of sweetness among the samples (p<0.05) and the mean values ranged from 4.2-1.9. The control sample [PmDP] had the highest value in sweetness intensity as it contained Orange fleshed sweet potato and Dates which are both of a sweet nature. A PCA biplot was drawn to indicate the association between the samples and the attributes. All ingredients used in this study had a different contribution in the functional quality of the porridge together with the sensory quality.Orange fleshed sweet potato and Dates generally improved the sensory quality of the porridge samples.

Immunomodulatory and Antioxidant Properties of Ipomoea batatas Flour and Extracts Obtained by Green Extraction.

Sweet potato (SP), Ipomoea batatas Lam, belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. It produces edible storage roots. Currently, orange varieties contribute to improving food systems and managing vitamin A deficiency. Processing of this food crop into flour allows better conservation. However, nutrition health data regarding SP flour obtained by green extraction remains scarce. In this study, we therefore explored its phytochemistry and its associated bioactivity potential for human health. We analyzed the nutritional composition of orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) flour and assessed the antioxidant (free radical scavenging) and immunomodulatory (on inflammatory murine macrophages) properties of the extract. More specifically, we measured the impact of OFSP flour extract on mediators such as Nitric Oxide (NO) and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), and Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE-2). Our results indicated significant fiber, mineral, beta-carotene, and polyphenols content in the extracts, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory bioactivities were also demonstrated with a concentration-dependent inhibition of cytokine production. Taken together, our results suggest that Ipomoea batatas flour could, in addition to being a good source of energy and beta-carotene provitamin A, constitute a food of interest for the prophylaxis of metabolic diseases associated with an underlying low-grade inflammatory state.

Tailoring business models for small-medium food enterprises in Eastern Africa can drive the commercialization and utilization of vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweet potato puree

Abstract Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), a promising crop for alleviating vitamin A deficiency (VAD), can be utilized at home and in commercial food processing as a basic and functional ingredient. The root can be processed into puree that is incorporated in baked and fried products and other products, with a high acceptability rate. When used as a wheat substitute in a bakery, the OFSP puree significantly cuts the production cost. In the last few years and with the intensified promotion of OFSP and OFSP puree products as a sustainable food-based strategy to tackling VAD at the population level, many small-medium food enterprises (SMEs) in the Eastern Africa Region (EAR) have shown great interest in utilizing the OFSP puree in their commercial product lines. However, the OFSP and OFSP puree value chain for commercial usage is still underdeveloped poising raw material supply challenges. In addition, the SMEs are early-stage businesses lacking the capacity and proper business models to propel them to sustainably venture into OFSP processing. As such, there is a need to engage and support SMEs in tailoring business models suitable for their scaling needs along the OFSP value chain to make available in the market, affordable nutrient-dense OFSP-puree products. This article presents the approach that was used to offer tailored Business Development Services (BDS) for selected SMEs in EAR to scale up their capacity to commercialize OFSP puree and puree-based products. The BDS designed and supported six integrated modules: business profile development, business model canvas, understanding the numbers/finances, OFSP value chain analysis, SWOT analysis, and growth plan, to develop and document individual business capacities and aspirations. The SMEs identified numerous opportunities and entry points for OFSP value chain development and expansion through the BDS depending on their business needs.

Performance of orange-fleshed sweet potato genotypes is affected by the planting date

Sweet potato is a vegetable with an important socioeconomic role in Brazil, especially in Western São Paulo state. In this region, there is a predominance in the use of low-yielding and obsolete genotypes that do not meet the most demanding national and international markets. Few orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) genotypes are available to Brazilian producers, although the potential for growth in the national and international market is significant. OFSP has a higher concentration of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, and can contribute to combating the deficiency of this vitamin, which is considered a public health problem. In this way, a program for breeding sweet potato began in 2019, which seeks to develop superior genotypes that better meet the needs of growers and consumer requirements. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the yield of experimental OFSP genotypes on three planting dates. Twelve experimental OFSP pre-selected for agronomic characteristics, tuberous root quality, and resistance to pests, were tested. The Beauregard cultivar was employed as a commercial standard. The experimental design was in blocks with randomized treatments, with cultivation carried out in three planting times (December 2020, February 2021, and October 2021). The tuberous roots were harvested 150 days after planting and commercial yield and quality parameters were assessed. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and subsequently grouped using the Scott-Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). The experimental genotypes UBD-C-14, UBD-U2-05, UBD-U1-25, UBD-F-34, and UBD-U2-19 showed good results for the evaluated parameters for all or more than one planting date. These genotypes are of interest to continue the breeding program in search of superior cultivars for the Western region of São Paulo and regions with similar edaphoclimatic conditions.

Application of the scaling readiness approach for scaling of nutrition‐sensitive initiatives in Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi: A case of orange fleshed sweetpotato value chain

AbstractMalnutrition remains a global challenge contributing to 45% of child mortality worldwide. Agri‐nutrition‐sensitive interventions have been judged as cost‐effective in addressing the key underlying determinants of nutrition. There is conclusive evidence of nutritional benefits from agriculture‐related programs such as the orange‐fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) program in addressing vitamin A deficiency which affects an estimated 165 million children under five globally. However, such programs are complex and require a multi‐sectoral approach (agriculture, health, trade, education, and processing) to realize the benefits. Consequently, getting the right partner in various sectors for sustainable implementation is challenging. This study shares experience using the scaling readiness approach in identifying strategic partners to scale up the OFSP value chain sustainably. Scaling Readiness is an effective approach in programming and designing multi‐sectoral nutrition‐sensitive projects to mitigate scaling challenges and selecting strategic partners to overcome bottlenecks. Having the right partners reduces the cost of implementation, allowing the project to collaborate, leverage existing initiatives, reallocate resources, and reorientate some aspects leading to focusing on what works rather than what is available. If well utilized, Scaling Readiness can help programs accelerate the scaling up of nutrition‐sensitive technologies, reducing malnutrition.

Gender Participation of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Production Activities in FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

Biofortified Orange Fleshed Sweet potato is rich in vitamin A and other minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and copper. The analysis for this research was based on the field survey of OFSP farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria conducted in 2023. Critical research and rudimentary data collection were used to gather data. The data were analyzed using a descriptive statistics and chi-square. Based on the descriptive analysis, most of the farmers were small scale farmers having a mean farm size of 2.3 ha and average farm experience of 7.8 years. Most of the farmers were in their productive ages 50-59 years and married couple with 6-10 family size. Almost all the farmers were constrained by conflicts with herd’s men and lack of finance (98.3% and 98.5% respectively). Furthermore, the farmers were also constrained by high cost of labour, vines and transportation, unable to sell produce, access to clean vine, distance to sources of storage facilities, access to land and thieves invasion of farm. Using a chi-square to analyze the level of farmer’s participation in OFSP production activities, male farmers were predominantly involved in site selection, bush clearing, burning, harvesting, transportation, processing, and marketing and land tillage while the female OFSP farmers were predominantly involved in sowing, weeding, and storage and fertilizer application

Awareness, Attitude and Utilization of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP): Critical Literature Review

The objectives of the study seek to review literature to establish the attitude, level of awareness and the extent of OFSP utilization. The study relied on secondary sources to synthesize and draw conclusions regarding the topic. The researcher reviewed a variety of documents and the data collected from previous published articles, journals, websites, original research papers and books to establish the awareness, attitude and utilization of OFSP. The review was supposed to offer important information regarding how widely used and known OFSP was. Evidence from the study showed that although most countries in the world were aware of OFSP's existence and nutritional advantages, the market for OFSP was not yet formally established. Most of the studies used emphasized that if OFSP is being processed into flour for making chips, biscuits, porridge, bread, drinks and other special forms of foods, consumers especially households would have accepted them to increase consumption. Socio-economic factors such as social class affect the level of utilization and preference patterns of the crop. Lack of storage facilities, lack of modern processing equipment and scarcity of OFSP vines had a great effect on its utilization. The study recommends that to increase agricultural value addition, OFSP farmers should be empowered through effective and efficient extension training on the usage of modern processing techniques. Also, OFSP should be processed into several foods for alternative income sourcing. Finally, it is recommended that future studies be conducted on consumers’ willingness to pay for value-added products made from OFSP.

Assessment of consumers' preference for orange-fleshed sweet potato puree chapati: a case of rural and urban consumers in Kenya.

Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is bio-fortified with vitamin A precursors through breeding and is thus ideal for combating vitamin A deficiency (VAD). One of the potential mechanisms to promote the consumption of OFSP is to enhance its availability through processing into products with a longer shelf life and more desirable to consumers. However, very few farmers and agro-processors practice value addition due to market uncertainties; there is little information on market availability for OFSP products. This study examined consumers' preference for OFSP puree chapati in rural and urban areas of Kenya, using the contingent valuation method. Data was collected from a random sample of 411 sweet potato consumers and a double-bounded logit model was applied to analyze consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for OFSP puree chapati. Consumers were willing to pay a price of Kenya shillings (KES) 19 (USD 0.14) and 35 (USD 0.26) for OFSP puree chapati in Homa Bay and Nairobi counties, respectively. The presence of children under 5 years in a household, consumers' awareness of OFSP products and benefits of consuming OFSP, and level of education had a positive and significant influence on WTP for OFSP puree chapati in both regions. The study demonstrated that consumers exhibited a positive preference for OFSP puree chapati. In order to increase the consumption of OFSP and its value-added products, it is important to promote consumer awareness of OFSP puree chapati and other such nutritious products through cooking demonstrations and other nudging approaches using attractive illustrations and social media platforms that engage mothers and care-givers of children under 5 years old as well as the youth. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The impact of future climate on orange-fleshed sweet potato production in arid areas of Northern Ethiopia. A case study in Afar region

Sweet potato is in its introductory phase as a food-based approach to alleviate malnutrition in the Afar region, where, due to climate change, agricultural drought impedes crop production. This study assesses the impact of climate change on orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) fresh storage root yield production over the Afar region using the Aqua Crop model. This model was fed with daily rainfall and minimum and maximum temperature datasets, for the baseline climate (1980–2009) as well as future (2010–2099) climate projections under two representative concentration pathways: RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. These datasets were statistically downscaled from twenty (20) general circulation models that are used in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). The impact of climate change on sweet potatoes was assessed by comparing the change in average sweet potato yields in the baseline climate condition against the average of simulated sweet potato yields in the Near-term (NT) (2010–2039), Mid-term (MT) (2040–2069), and End-term (ET) (2070–2099) under RCP 8.5 and RCP 4.5. Simulation shows increased future storage root yield production for NT (3.23%), MT (3.90%), and ET (7.25%) under RCP 4.5 and MT (5.88%) and NT (6.71%) from the observed yield data (32.0 t/ha) except for Near-term (−9.59%) under RCP 8.5. Similarly, projected climate shows increase in temperature Tmax (0.93–4.10 °C), Tmin (0.88–4.54 °C) and precipitation (28.9–37.8%) under both RCPs which will favor sweet potato yield production increase in near-term, mid-term reaching climax in end-term. Simulation with planting dates shows that normal planting date (July 01), gives better yields than early (April 22) or late planting (01 August). This finding may perhaps be used as preliminary data in adoption and upscaling of orange-fleshed sweet potato in Afar region.

Assessment of seed system interventions for biofortified orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) in Malawi

AbstractThe International Potato Center (CIP) has collaboratively implemented various demand‐pull and supply‐push interventions since 2006 to develop the seed system for biofortified orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) (Ipomoea batatas) varieties in Malawi. Consequently, the adoption of OFSP varieties has increased to 30%. Nevertheless, the actual adoption rates, the contribution of these interventions to the seed system development, and the extent to which the current policy and regulatory environment facilitated or impeded the availability and access to quality planting materials by smallholder farmers are not well understood. This study explored these critical issues using desk reviews and qualitative information with OFSP subsector stakeholders. The results reveal that most of the critical nodes of the OFSP seed system are underdeveloped. However, CIP backstopping interventions to the national research systems contributed significantly to building Malawi's capacity for producing clean early‐generation seed materials. In addition, CIP has played a critical role in developing the community‐level capacity to produce and disseminate clean vines through the introduction of decentralized vine multipliers and commercial vine multipliers. The study recommends integrating formal and informal seed systems for vegetatively propagated crops to improve access to quality planting materials by farmers. Second, government and development partners (CGIAR centers, Nongovernmental Organization) should progressively promote/create demand for OFSPs among consumers because of the strong association between the biofortified OFSP varieties and nutrition. Lastly, there is need for government and development partners to establish and increase OFSP interventions in the Northern and Central regions of Malawi.

Crossing possibility for breeding promising orange-fleshed sweetpotato genotypes in Benin

Crossing possibility for breeding promising orange-fleshed sweetpotato genotypes in Benin

Suitability and Potential Nutrient Contribution of Underutilized Foods in Community-Based Infant Foods in Northern Ghana.

In rural Ghana, infant feeding is largely home-based or community-based yet less is known about the kinds of community-based infant foods and the ability of families to create a range of recipes for baby feeding using context-specific ingredients particularly in northern Ghana which has a high prevalence of malnutrition. In this explorative study on mothers (15-49 years; n = 46), we investigated community-based infant foods' food group composition, enrichment, nutrient contribution, and acceptability. The identified community-based infant foods were mainly made of either corn or millet porridges in northern Ghana and had three nutrients with % RNI ≥ 70. We developed 38 recipes of enriched community-based infant foods adding underutilized foods (orange-fleshed sweet potato, pawpaw, cowpea, moringa, groundnut, Bambara beans, and soya beans) to increase the number of nutrients from three to at least five and at most nine nutrients with % RNI ≥ 70 based on the recipe combinations. The enriched community-based infant food recipes provided adequate caloric amounts and modest improvements in micronutrient content for infants (6-12 months). All recipes tested were deemed appropriate and acceptable for infants by mothers. Moringa and pawpaw emerged as the lowest-cost ingredients to add among the underutilized foods. Future research is necessary to assess the effectiveness of the new recipes at promoting linear growth and improving micronutrient status during the complementary feeding period.

Consumer willingness to pay a premium for orange-fleshed sweet potato puree products: a gender-responsive evidence from Becker–DeGroot–Marschak experimental auction among low- and middle-income consumers in selected regions of Nairobi, Kenya

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem affecting people of all ages, particularly women of reproductive age and young children in the Global South. Nutrient-enriched (biofortified) orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) has promising potential as a sustainable food vehicle to combat VAD. Part of ongoing efforts to combat VAD, particularly among the urban poor populations, include the introduction of innovative OFSP puree, which is utilized as a functional and substitute ingredient in widely consumed baked and fried products. In Kenya, the OFSP puree is used to make commercial products that are affordable by low- and middle-income households. However, there is limited knowledge of consumer awareness, willingness to pay (WTP), and/or how gender plays a role in the uptake of these products. Following a multistage sampling technique, this study employs the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak (BDM) experimental auction method to assess if men and women consumers—from selected, highly populated low- and middle-income areas of Nairobi County in Kenya—are aware and if they would be willing to pay for OFSP puree products. Integrating gender considerations, we use three of the most widely consumed OFSP puree products, bread, buns, and chapati, and three treatment categories, naive, nutritional information, and OFSP puree substitute products' references prices to deduce the WTP for OFSP puree products among men and women. Results showed limited awareness of OFSP and OFSP puree products among men and women. However, both men and women were willing to pay a premium for the OFSP puree products. The intergender comparison showed that women were more willing to pay a premium for the OFSP puree products than men. Gender, age, education, knowledge of OFSP puree products, income category, availability of nutritional information, and reference pricing stand out as significant determinants of WTP.

Influence of partial feeding of orange fleshed sweet potato root meal on the blood indices of finisher broiler chickens

Abstract A six-week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of maize with Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) root meal on the haematological parameters and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens at finisher phase. One hundred and eight (108) day old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into 4 dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) with 3 replicates each and 9 birds per replicate. The test ingredient, OFSP root meal was included in broiler finisher diets as replacement for maize at 0%, 6%, 12% and 18% in the dietary treatments respectively. The study revealed no effect on all the haematological parameters. The result of the serum biochemistry also showed no significant differences (P>0.05) on all the parameters measured with the exception of triglycerides, globulin and blood urea nitrogen with significant decrease in the triglycerides (mg/dl) and globulin (g/dl) content of T2(24.80 and 0.37), T3(47.01 and 1.07) and T4(48.50 and 1.41) respectively as compared with the control group (61.54 and 1.95 respectively). Therefore, inclusion of OFSP root meal up to 18% did not negatively affect the haematological parameters of the birds and also reduced the risk of metabolic diseases in the birds while improving the cardiovascular health of the birds.

Effects of Processing Methods on the Yield, Functional and Pasting Properties of “Garri Analogue” Produced from Different Varieties of Orange Flesh Sweet Potato

Garri is a fermented, dry granular meal produced from cassava roots which is of high carbohydrate content with little of other nutrients. Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) is a root crop with high nutritional properties and so its use for “garri analogue” has been found to be of better nutritional qualities than cassava. However, considerations are yet to be given to the effect of varieties and processing variables of OFSP on the qualities of “garri analogue”. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of different varieties and processing variables of OFSP on the qualities of “garri analogue”. Three varieties of OFSP (Mother’s Delight, King J and Solo Gold) were procured from local farmers in Osun State. Two different processing parameters: fermentation time (24, 48 and 72h) and particle size (1.4, 1.8 and 2.36mm) were considered. The yield, functional properties (bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, gelatinization temperature, least gelation concentration and swelling capacity) and pasting properties of the “garri analogue” were evaluated. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of significance. The yields for the three varieties of OFSP are 0.50, 0.60 and 0.80kg for Mother’s Delight, King J and Solo Gold respectively. Oil absorption capacity (1.40 -3.27 , 1.77 - 2.67 and 1.50 -2.77 g/100g), water absorption capacity (1.70 -4.57 , 2.17 -3.87 and 2.17 -3.87 g/100g), gelling (20.00 – 50.00 , 20.00 – 50.00 and 20.00– 50.00 g/dm3), gelatinization temperature (95.00-100.00, 94.00-100.00 and 94.00-100.00oC), swelling capacity (20.00– 50.00, 20.00– 50.00 and 20.00– 50.00 g/dm3) and bulk density (0.42 -0.53, 0.42 -0.53 and 0.42 -0.53g/ml). Peak viscosity (1.52 x102-4.59 x 102, 3.70 x102 -5.58 x 102 and 2.68 x 102-5.83 x 102 RVU), trough viscosity (1.32-3.22 x 102, 2.65x102 -3.73 x 102 and 1.82. x 102-5.62 x 102 RVU), breakdown viscosity (13.6-1.37 x 102, 1.03 x 102 -93.14 x 102 and 21.64 x 102 -1.14 x 102 RVU), final viscosity (2.09-5.16 x 102, 4.30 x 102 -5.28 x 102 and 2.82 x 102 -6.00 x 102 RVU), setback viscosity (76.72-2.07 x 102, 1.27 x 102 -1.89 x 102 and 1.10 x 102 – 2.36 x 102 RVU), peak time (5.01-6.11, 5.05-5.49 and 5.00-7.00 mins) and pasting temperature (85.13-89.90, 87.58-91.50 and 87.47-92.57oC). The variety that had an effect on the functional and pasting properties of the “garri analogue” was Mother’s Delight, while in term of processing variables on the functional and pasting properties of “garri analogue: from the different varieties are Mother’s Delight and King J. The optimum results in term of the processing variables on the yield, functional and pasting properties from the different varieties are Mother’s Delight and Solo Gold. The optimum results were obtained at 48.00 and 72.00hrs with particle sizes of 1.88 and 2.36mm respectively.

Development of control strategies for bacteria and fungi associated with a micropropagated new cultivar of orange-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv. Agrosavia–Aurora)

Vegetative propagation of sweet potato lead to the accumulation of diseases from generation to generation, which represents a threat to both productivity and conservation of genetic resources. In vitro techniques can help to overcome phytosanitary problems by applying plant material cleaning strategies. The objective of this study was to develop in vitro micropropagation strategies for the production of high-quality plant material of an orange-fleshed variety of sweet potato recently released in Colombia. Molecular identification of contaminating microorganisms was performed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and ITS for fungi. Five disinfection protocols were evaluated, three of which were previously developed for sweet potato and included disinfection with 0.5, 1, and 2% sodium hypochlorite respectively, while two protocols are proposed in this work and included washing with povidone-iodine, disinfection with sodium hypochlorite 2%; one of these two new protocols also contains acetic acid and quaternary ammonium. For the evaluation of the viability of in vitro plants after disinfection, they were acclimatized in a greenhouse, reintroduced, and a molecular testing by PCR of 16S rRNA gene and ITS was carried out to verify the phytosanitary status of the material. The contaminating microorganisms found were filamentous fungi of the genera Fusarium, Sarocladium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus, yeasts of the genera Pseudozyma and Moesziomyces, and the actinobacterium Curtobacterium sp. The results indicated that washing with povidone-iodine and disinfection with 2% sodium hypochlorite, acetic acid and quaternary ammonium was the most efficient disinfection protocol, reducing the number of contaminated cultures by up to 10% and eradicating 70% of contaminants. The in vitro plants established in the greenhouse remained healthy and, after reintroduction, the molecular test for bacteria and fungi was negative. These results allowed the generation of an optimized protocol that can be incorporated into the in vitro micropropagation process to generate contamination-free sweet potato seeds.

Characterization of ice cream analogue from orange-fleshed sweet potato

This study centered on the effects of partial replacement of cow milk powder (CMP) with cooked orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) residue on the quality of ice cream analogue with a view of elucidating the possible utilization of OFSP in ice cream production using a Completely Randomized Design. Ice cream analogue mixes were formulated from CMP, OFSP and other ingredients by decreasing the quantity of CMP from 800 to 0 g while increasing the quantity of OFSP from 0 to 800 g. The mixes were whipped, packed in a plastic container, frozen quickly and then stored at -18oC. The products were evaluated for chemical, physical and sensory properties using standard methods. Data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance, while means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at p<0.05. The crude protein, minerals except for iron, total soluble solids, overrun and foam stability decreased significantly, while crude fibre, β-carotene and melt rate increased significantly with an increase in OFSP residue in the product. The overall acceptability scores for samples containing 100 g OFSP and 300 g OFSP residue were not significantly different from the sample without OFSP residue (control). The results suggested the possibility of substituting OFSP residue for CMP up to 37.5% of a blend of OFSP and CMP in ice cream production.

Analyzing genetic variation for important yield-contributing attributes in genotypes of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes

An experiment was conducted to estimate genetic variability of 47 orange-fleshed sweetpotato(OFSP) genotypes. It was established in two locations(Umudike and Igbariam) in a RCBD fashion with three replications. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA using the software; AGD-R. The results showed that all the characters studied were highly significant (p<0.01) for genotypes. All the traits were significant for location except the vine length, days to 50% flowering and root yield. Most of the characters were also significant for genotypes-location interaction. Significant differences observed among genotypes for most traits indicated the presence of genetic variation among the materials. The genotypic coefficient of variation(GCV) was very high for beta carotene(73.8%) and vitamin A(70.0%). Phenotypic coefficient of variation(PCV) was very high for beta carotene(183.5%), root yield per hectare(151.6%), total root weight per plant(150.6%) and total number of roots per plant(113.5%). The PCV was higher than their corresponding GCV for all the characters studies, indicating that the expression of these characters was influenced by environment. The GCV was consistently higher than PCV in all the traits. The genotypic variance was high for days to 50% flowering(373.16), dry matter(220.30), root girth (140.73), root length (68.10) and root yield per hectar (349.66). The magnitude of VA was consistently larger than that of VD for all the traits suggesting that the additive genetic variance was more important than the dominance genetic variance in the inheritance of most studied traits. All the characters studies had high heritability (>60%). High heritability estimates for those traits indicated a high response to selection

PERFORMANCE OF EXPERIMENTAL ORANGE-FLESHED SWEET POTATO GENOTYPES IN THE WESTERN REGION OF SÃO PAULO

The orange-fleshed sweet potato has interesting nutritional characteristics, as it has a high concentration of β-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem and can be avoided by adequate intake of β-carotene-rich foods, like the orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP). However, few OFSP genotypes are available to growers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of OFSP experimental genotypes under the edaphoclimatic conditions of Western São Paulo. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Álvares Machado-SP in a sweet potato production area on a commercial scale. Planting was carried out in October 2021 using a randomized block design with four replications. Five experimental genotypes of OFSP were evaluated, namely: F-09, F-34, U2-05, U2-19 and C-14. The cultivar Beauregard was adopted as control. At 139 days after planting, the tuberous roots were harvested and the following were assessed: total tuberous root production in Kg ha-1; number of commercial tuberous roots in roots ha-1, production of commercial tuberous roots in Kg ha-1; average mass of commercial tuberous roots in g; dry mass percentage of commercial tuberous roots; length of roots in cm, diameter of roots in cm and soluble solids, in °Brix, appearance of roots using a scale of grades, and resistance to damage caused by insect pests. The commercial yield of the evaluated genotypes ranged from 38,27 t ha-1 (Beauregard) to 89,25 t ha-1 (F-34). The experimental genotypes present tuberous root quality similar to the commercial control 'Beauregard'. Genotypes F-34 and C-14 have flesh color similar to 'Beauregard', and genotype F-09 has dark orange flesh, a class above the control. All evaluated genotypes can potentially contribute to the increase in yield in Western São Paulo.

Evaluation of Yield and Nutraceutical Traits of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Storage Roots in Two Agro-Climatic Zones of Northern Ethiopia

This study evaluated the genotype by environment interactions in the yield and nutraceutical traits of the orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) storage root in different agro-climatic zones of northern Ethiopia. Five OFSP genotypes were cultivated at three different locations following a randomized complete block design, and the yield, dry matter, beta-carotene, flavonoids, polyphenols, soluble sugars, starch, soluble proteins, and free radical scavenging activity were measured in the storage root. The results showed consistent variations in the nutritional traits of the OFSP storage root depending on both the genotype and the location, as well as on their interaction. Ininda, Gloria, and Amelia were the genotypes that provided the higher yield and dry matter, as well as the higher content of starch and beta-carotene; they also showed a high antioxidant power. These findings suggest that the studied genotypes have the potential to alleviate vitamin A deficiency. This study demonstrated a high possibility of sweet potato production for storage root yield in arid agro-climate regions with limited production inputs. Moreover, the results suggest that it is possible to enhance the yield, dry matter content, beta-carotene, starch, and polyphenols of the OFSP storage root through genotype selection.