title: Toward better understanding of postharvest deterioration: biochemical changes in stored cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots.
abstract: Food losses can occur during production, postharvest, and processing stages in the supply chain. With the onset of worldwide food shortages, interest in reducing postharvest losses in cassava has been increasing. In this research, the main goal was to evaluate biochemical changes and identify the metabolites involved in the deterioration of cassava roots. We found that high levels of ascorbic acid (AsA), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), dry matter, and proteins are correlated with overall lower rates of deterioration. On the other hand, soluble sugars such as glucose and fructose, as well as organic acids, mainly, succinic acid, seem to be upregulated during storage and may play a role in the deterioration of cassava roots. Cultivar Branco (BRA) was most resilient to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD), while Oriental (ORI) was the most susceptible. Our findings suggest that PPO, AsA, and proteins may play a distinct role in PPD delay.
authors.affiliation: Plant Science Center Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory Postgraduate Program in Plant Genetic Resources Federal University of Santa Catarina Rodovia Admar Gonzaga 1346 CEP 88.034-001 Florianópolis SC Brazil.
authors.forename: Virgílio Gavicho
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Uarrota
authors.affiliation: Santa Catarina State Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency (EPAGRI) Experimental Station of Urussanga (EEUR) Rd. SC 446 Km 19 S/N Urussanga Florianópolis SC CEP 88840-000 Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo da Costa
authors.initials: Eda C
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Santa Catarina State Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency (EPAGRI) Experimental Station of Urussanga (EEUR) Rd. SC 446 Km 19 S/N Urussanga Florianópolis SC CEP 88840-000 Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Augusto Martins
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Peruch
authors.affiliation: Santa Catarina State Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency (EPAGRI) Experimental Station of Urussanga (EEUR) Rd. SC 446 Km 19 S/N Urussanga Florianópolis SC CEP 88840-000 Brazil.
authors.forename: Enilto de Oliveira
authors.initials: Ede O
authors.lastname: Neubert
authors.affiliation: Plant Science Center Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory Postgraduate Program in Plant Genetic Resources Federal University of Santa Catarina Rodovia Admar Gonzaga 1346 CEP 88.034-001 Florianópolis SC Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.affiliation: Plant Science Center Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory Postgraduate Program in Plant Genetic Resources Federal University of Santa Catarina Rodovia Admar Gonzaga 1346 CEP 88.034-001 Florianópolis SC Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moresco
authors.affiliation: International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Apartado Aéreo 6713 Cali Colombia.
authors.forename: Moralba Garcia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.affiliation: International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Apartado Aéreo 6713 Cali Colombia.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Apartado Aéreo 6713 Cali Colombia.
authors.forename: Jorge Luis Luna
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Meléndez
authors.affiliation: International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Apartado Aéreo 6713 Cali Colombia; Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) UMR Qualisud 73 Rue Jean-Francois Breton TAB-95/1634398 Montpellier Cedex 5 France.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dufour
authors.affiliation: Santa Catarina State Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency (EPAGRI) Experimental Station of Urussanga (EEUR) Rd. SC 446 Km 19 S/N Urussanga Florianópolis SC CEP 88840-000 Brazil.
authors.forename: Hernan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ceballos
authors.affiliation: International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Apartado Aéreo 6713 Cali Colombia.
authors.forename: Luis Augusto
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3520-2270
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Becerra Lopez-Lavalle
authors.affiliation: International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Apartado Aéreo 6713 Cali Colombia.
authors.forename: Clair
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hershey
authors.affiliation: Centre of Biological Engineering University of Minho Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Plant Science Center Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory Postgraduate Program in Plant Genetic Resources Federal University of Santa Catarina Rodovia Admar Gonzaga 1346 CEP 88.034-001 Florianópolis SC Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maraschin
keywords: Cassava; deterioration; organic acids; polyphenol oxidase; scopoletin; soluble sugars