Studies of changes in phenolic and alkaloidal compounds of irradiated potatoes during postharvest storage

Mutagenicity testing of alcoholic extracts of irradiated and control potatoes and of pure phenolic and alkaloidal compounds, known to exist in potato tubers was completed. No evidence of mutagenic effects in the Ames test was observed for either extracts of irradiated (0.1, 0.5 and 3 kGy) or non-irradiated tubers in the TA 100 and TA 98 strains with and without addition of microsomal liver enzymes. Further, solanidine, solanine, coumarin, umbelliferon, exculetin scopoletin, chlorogenic and, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid and p-coumaric acid were negative under similar conditions (till 200 μg/plate). (Auth.)