~ 2223 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies 2018; 6(5): 2223-2227 P-ISSN: 2349–8528 E-ISSN: 2321–4902 IJCS 2018; 6(5): 2223-2227 © 2018 IJCS Received: 21-07-2018 Accepted: 22-08-2018 Sharavati MB Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India Srinivasa V Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India Ramachandra Naik K AICRP on Vegetables & Tuber crops, ZHRS, Kumbapur Farm, Dharwad, University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India Devaraju Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India Kanthraj Y Department of Postharvest Technology, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India Shashikala S Kolakar Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India Correspondence Sharavati MB Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India Post harvest behavior of different sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) germplasm under ambient conditions Sharavati MB, Srinivasa V, Ramachandra Naik K, Devaraju, Kanthraj Y and Shashikala S Kolakar Abstract An experiment was undertaken to study the postharvest behavior of different sweet potato germplasm under ambient conditions. The study indicated that minimum physiological loss in weight was observed in BSP-23 and highest was observed in BSP-27. The higher and lower PLW of tubers was due to increased or decreased transpiration changes with progress of storage period along with the genetic makeup of the plant as well as prevailing environmental conditions. Maximum shelf life was recorded in BSP-23 whereas, BSP-7 recorded minimum. BSP-23 recorded maximum reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars. Whereas, minimum was recorded in BSP-30 and BSP-27. Significant variation in quality parameters among different genotypes of sweet potato may be due to the inherent genetic makeup of the genotype and influence of environmental conditions. Keywords: Postharvest behavior, ambient, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, shelf life and genetic makeup Introduction Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a major economical and healthy food crop in developing countries, which is mainly consumed as boiled roots. Sweet potato is positioned as the seventh most major food crop in the world, fourth in tropical countries and fifth most essential food crop on a fresh weight basis in developing countries after rice, wheat, maize and potato [1] with annual production of 141.54 million tonnes [2] . Sweet potato could be a better competitor as food, feed and industrial raw material [3] . Although sweet potato is cheaper than other crops, this abundant resource is still poorly utilized. Sweet potato roots can be processed into products with improved characteristics and longer shelf life. The carbohydrate content of the sweet potato tubers varies from 25 to 30 per cent, while the rest is composed of water (58 to 72 %). Sweet potatoes being good sources of vitamin C, vitamin E, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium and iron, and are low in fat and cholesterol. However, they also contain moderate quantities of thiamine (B 1 ), riboflavin (B 2 ), niacin, pantothenic acid (B 5 ), pyridoxine (B 6 ) and folic acid. Moderate quantities of sodium, magnesium, manganese and zinc are also present. The tubers are used as subsidiary food after boiling, baking and frying, moreover tubers also form an industrial raw material for the production of starch, alcohol, pectin, etc. Being rich in β-carotene, the orange-fleshed sweet potato is gaining importance as the cheapest source of antioxidant having several physiological attributes like anti-oxidation, anti-cancer and protection against liver injury and is most suiting as a bio fortified crop to combat malnutrition in small and marginal farming community. Sweet potato is, no doubt, an important food for the future and requires greater attention from both consumers and researchers in this part of the world. During storage, the roots are very perishable because they contain high moisture content (60- 75%) hence low mechanical strength as well as high susceptible to microbial decay. They have high respiratory rate and the resultant heat production softens the textures which make them susceptible to damage. Postharvest quality deterioration emanates from respiration, weight loss, microbial attack, weevil damage and sprouting. Respiration and sprouting result in loss of nutritive value of tubers. Sprouting in particular leads to weight loss, reduction of nutritional, processing and marketable quality of roots. The shelf-life therefore varies from few days or months according to the cultivar and storage conditions.