Anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity, and selected physical properties of flowable purple-fleshed sweetpotato purees

J Food Sci. 2008 Jun;73(5):S215-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00774.x.

Abstract

With high levels of polyphenolic compounds, purple-fleshed sweetpotatoes (PFSP) have been utilized as a healthy food commodity and source of natural food colorants in Asia. In the U.S. sweetpotato industry, there are growing interests in exploring these market opportunities for PFSP. A locally grown PFSP cultivar was analyzed for antioxidant properties. The total phenolic content ranged from 313.6 to 1483.7 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent/100 g fresh weight (fw), and anthocyanin contents were between 51.5 and 174.7 mg anthocyanins/100 g fw. The DPPH radical scavenging activities and were 47.0 to 87.4 micromol trolox equivalent (TE)/g fw, and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values were between 26.4 and 78.2 micromol TE/g fw. Unlike orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes (OFSP), the steamed roots of PFSP formed a thick paste, which required a process modification to produce flowable purees. Rheological testing indicated that adjusting the dry matter of PFSP to 18%-21% produced purees with flow properties similar to the OFSP purees. The PFSP purees had polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity within ranges reported for various purple-colored fruits and vegetables.

MeSH terms

  • Anthocyanins / analysis*
  • Anthocyanins / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / analysis*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Food Technology*
  • Food, Organic*
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Humans
  • Ipomoea batatas / chemistry*
  • Ipomoea batatas / classification
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism
  • Rheology
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Plant Extracts