Importance of 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene in maintaining the quality of stored tubers of Asterix and Challenger cultivars

Abstract

This work aimed to analyze 1,4-DMN efficiency in the suppression of sprouting and the consequent maintenance of quality in potato tubers of Asterix and Challenger cultivars stored during different periods under varying temperatures: eight treatments with and without 1,4-DMN under temperatures of 8 °C and 20 °C. Treatments effect were evaluated after 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days after application. The evaluated parameters were the loss of fresh mass, length of the sprouts and activity of the enzymes polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase. The results indicate that the application of 1,4-DMN reduces the loss of fresh mass, this effect was more intense for the cultivar Challenger, at 8 °C. There were also significant effects in reducing the average length of the sprouts for both cultivars evaluated, after 180 days, at 20 °C. There was little or no difference in the level of oxidative stress caused in the tubers. Hence, the effects of 1,4-DMN on the quality control of potatoes included reduced loss of fresh mass and a shorter average length of sprouts for both cultivars evaluated compared to control, for both temperatures. These effects intensify in the cultivar Challenger and treatments with temperatures of 20 °C.