Carotenoid profiles of potato breeding lines and selected cultivars

Lutein and zeaxanthin are becoming established as carotenoids beneficial for protection against common age-associated eye diseases. Thus, 15 potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum L.) breeding lines, cultivars Atlantic,Spunta, and Yukon Gold; and orange flesh OR-4 were surveyed for carotenoid profiles. Seven carotenoids, including violaxanthin, neoaxanthin,antheraxanthin,lutein,zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoaxanthin,and beta-carotene, were identified in the 19 genotypes. Violaxanthin and lutein were the prominent carotenoids detected in all genotypes studied. Neoaxanthin and antheraxanthin were found in 26% and 63% of the genotypes, respectively. beta-Cryptoaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene were found in only 5%,10%, and 16 % of the genotypes, respectively. Lutein varied from 19.8 to 119.0 mug (.)100 g(-1) fresh weight across the 15 white- or yellow-flesh breeding lines. In contrast, zeaxanthin was detected at a low level in only one breeding line and at high level in OR-4. The three cultivars had profiles typical of yellow-flesh potatoes 'Spunta' and 'Yukon Gold'; while 'Atlantic' had a typical white-flesh profile and a trace of zeaxanthin. The carotenoid baseline data established in this study provide information for activities to enhance potato for lutein and zeaxanthin.