Fjölrit RALA - 22.03.1979, Page 78

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Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers increases the
nitrate content and at the same time reduces the vitamin
C content. Measurements have shown Icelandic potatoes to
contain nitrate. The most urgent research project on the
nutritional value of potatoes is therefore to find the re-
lationship between fertilization, nitrate and vitamin C in
potatoes. It would be desirable that in the same project,
measurements on other vitamins, such as thiamine, riboflavin
and niacin, would also be carried out in order to see the
relationship between fertilization and vitamin content.
The amount of mono- and disaccharides forming during
the refrigeration of potatoes varies greatly depending on
the variety (M.C. Jarvis et al., 1974). If the production
of industrial potatoes is to increase in the future in Ice-
land, it is necessary that research be carried out on these
factors before production begins.
Research should be carried out on the mineral content
of potatoes since no information on the subject exists in
Iceland.
V. References
Abramson, E. 1974. Kosttabell. Stockholm.
Augustin, J. 1975. Variations in the nutritional composition
of fresh potatoes. J. of Food Sc. 40: 1295-1299.
Augustin, J., R.W. McDone, G.M. McMaster, C.G. Painter & W.C.
Sparks. 1975. Ascorbic acid content in Russel Burbank
potatoes. J. of Eood Sc. 40 : 415-416.
Burton, W.B. 1969. The sugar balance in some British potato
varieties during storage. II. The effects of tuber age,
previous storage temperature, and intermittent refriger-
ation upon low-temperature sweetening. Eur. Pot. J. 12:
81-95.
Desborough, S.L. & C.J. Weiser. 1974. Improving potato pro-
tein. I. Evaluation of selection techniques. Am. Pot. J.
51 : 185-196.
Domah, A.A.M.B., J. Davidek & J. Veliser. 1974. Changes of
L-ascorbic and L-dehydroascorbic acids during cooking and
frying of potatoes. Zeitschrift fUr Lebensmittel-Unters-
uchung und Forschung 154 (5): 270-272.