Biochemical Composition of Tubers of New Russian Potato Cultivars

Fourteen Russian potato cultivars (cvs.) grown for three years in the field plots of VIR (North-Western region of the Russian Federation) were evaluated annually for productivity and 12 biochemical parameters of tubers one month after harvesting and after cold storage (at 2–4 °C). The aim of this study was to quantify the level of biochemical components in tubers and to determine the influence of the environment on their content. The results indicated a substantial variation in different nutrients in potatoes during cultivation for three consecutive years. The nutritional value of tubers (the content of dry matter, sugars, starch and protein) was determined to a greater extent (38–49%) by varietal characteristics, rather than by meteorological conditions in the vegetation period. The content of vitamin C, carotenoids, protein and anthocyanins varied depending on the year. Of the cultivars, ‘Kumach’ has the highest productivity, but the nutritional value of tubers is lower than that of standard ‘Nayada’. Cv. ‘Fioletovyi’ is suitable for consumption as part of a low-calorie diet because of a low amount of starch (11.8–12.7%) and a higher anthocyanins content (102.0–103.9 mg/100 g). Cv. ‘Sokur’ is distinguished by its high nutrition because of its high content of dry matter (24.3%) and protein (more than 2.0%). Cv. ‘Plamya’ is remarkable for the lowest content of reducing sugars (0.24–0.47%) in tubers during the post-harvest and post-storage analysis.