Abstract:

In this study, the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the contents of soluble sugar, amylose, amylopectin
and carotene in fresh sweet potato storage roots of four widely cultivated varieties were studied during storage. The results
showed that 1-MCP had remarkable effect on the quality of sweet potato storage root in terms of soluble sugar, amylose,
amylopectin and carotene. The effects of 1-MCP on different varieties of sweet potatoes were different. Compared to the
control treatment, the soluble sugar content of four sweet potato varieties reached a peak value earlier, and the peak values
of soluble sugar content for ‘Guang 87’ and ‘Sushu 16’ were significantly enhanced in response to 1-MCP. During storage
for 7 days, 1-MCP significantly decreased the amylose content of ‘Guang 87’, ‘Yanshu 25’ and ‘Longshu 9’. Meanwhile,
1-MCP significantly increased the peak amylose content of ‘Guang 87’ and ‘Sushu 16’, but significantly decreased the
amylose content of ‘Sushu 16’ and ‘Yanshu 25’ during the period from day 28 to day 120 of storage. Compared to the control
treatment, 1-MCP significantly decreased the amylopectin contents of ‘Sushu 16’ and ‘Longshu 9’ during the period from
day 28 to day 120 of storage. Moreover, 1-MCP significantly changed the variation trend of carotene content making the
carotene content of ‘Guang 87’, ‘Sushu 16’ and ‘Longshu 9’ reaching their minimum values earlier.

Key words: sweet potato, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), soluble sugar, starch, carotene