Pre- and Post-Harvest Changes in Carotene, Total Carotenoids and Ascorbic Acid Content of Sweetpotatoes

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Abstract
Four vars. of sweet potatoes were harvested at 9 times between mid-Aug. and late Nov. Carotene and total carotenoid pigments increased in the first part of the harvest period and then decreased: the max. concn. usually occurred about the time of the usual commercial harvest for storage purposes. In general ascorbic acid followed a pattern somewhat similar to that of the carotenoids. Roots from the early, midseason, and late harvests were cured and stored at 60[degree] F. Carotene and total carotenoids increased during storage in Yellow Jersey, Porto Rico and Orange Little Stem roots harvested before frost, but relatively little if any increase occurred in roots harvested after frost. In the Nancy Hall var. the only increase in carotene after harvest occurred in the early harvest lot; no increase in total pigments occurred after harvest. Time of harvest had relatively little effect on the behavior of ascorbic acid during storage. Complete or partial loss of ability to synthesize carotenoid pigments after harvest appears to be a sensitive measure of physiological injury to sweetpotatoes.