A team of scientists has discovered that ultrasound and electric shock can increase the polyphenol content in potatoes, according to research presented on Sunday at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS reports the findings as 'simple, inexpensive ways' to increase the antioxidant content of potatoes.
A team of scientists has discovered that ultrasound and electric shock can increase the polyphenol content in potatoes, according to research presented on Sunday at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
ACS reports the findings as 'simple, inexpensive ways'ÃÂ to increase the antioxidant content of potatoes.
The scientists used two methods: electric shock and ultrasound, high frequency sound waves. For the former method, potatoes were placed in water, followed by 5-10 minutes of ultrasound. For the latter method, potatoes were placed in a salt solution for 10 seconds and then given a small electric charge for 10, 20, and 30 minutes.
The resulting effect was increases of antioxidant activity and phenolic content in all methods. With five minutes of ultrasound, polyphenol levels were 1.2 times greater and other antioxidant levels were 1.6 times greater.
'We found that treating potatoes with ultrasound or electricity for 5-30 minutes increased the amounts of antioxidants'”including phenols and chlorogenic acid'”by as much as 50%,'ÃÂ said lead researcher Kazunori Hironaka, PhD, of Obihiro University (Hokkaido, Japan). According to Hironaka, previous research had been limited to an understanding that drought, bruising, and other stresses could affect phenolic compounds of certain produce.
The Nutritional Outlook Podcast Episode 29: 2024 Ingredients to Watch
January 31st 2024Nutritional Outlook interviews Scott Dicker, market insights director from market researcher SPINS, about ingredients and product categories nutraceutical and nutrition product manufacturers should watch in 2024.
The Link Between Immune Health Benefits & Healthy, Active Lifestyles
January 11th 2024Better immune health means more healthy, active days – and who doesn’t want that? Now, we’re in an era where consumers want to be proactive about their immune health. Nutritional Outlook’s latest podcast highlights one key immune health ingredient, IMMUSE™, that brings a unique mode of action to activate pDCs (plasmacytoid dendritic cells)* — a pivotal leader within the immune system.