Search Results (33)

The rising global demand for food, including potatoes, necessitates increased crop production. To achieve higher yields, farmers frequently depend on regular applications of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. As people seek more environmentally friendly alternatives, biofertilizers are gaining popularity as a potential replacement for synthetic fertilizers. This study aimed to determine how Glomus iranicum affects the growth of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) and the nutritional value of potato tubers when grown alongside broad beans (Vicia faba L.). An experiment was conducted using potatoes tested at five dosage levels of G. iranicum, ranging from 0 to 4 g, to see its impact on the plants and soil. Inoculation with G. iranicum produced variable results in associated potato and bean crops, with significant effects on some variables. In particular, inoculation with 3 g of G. iranicum produced an increase in plant height (24%), leaf dry weight (90%), and tuber dry weight (57%) of potatoes. Similarly, 4 g of G. iranicum produced an increase in the foliar fresh weight (115%), root length (124%), root fresh weight (159%), and root dry weight (243%) of broad beans compared to no inoculation. These findings suggest that G. iranicum could be a helpful biological tool in Andean crops to improve the productivity of potatoes associated with broad beans. This could potentially reduce the need for chemical fertilizers in these crops. Full article

Background: Contemporary agriculture heavily relies on synthetic chemicals to ensure high yields and food security; however, their overuse has led to health issues and the development of pesticide resistance in pests. Researchers are now exploring natural, eco-friendly alternatives for pest control. Methods: This study evaluated two ethanol-based formulations (1.25% and 2.50%, v/v) derived from the tangerine peel (Citrus reticulata L. var. Clementina) against conventional chemical treatments and an untreated control group in the cultivation of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Capiro). A randomised block design was used, with three blocks per treatment containing 45 plants. The experiment was conducted during the wet season (February–April 2023). Results: According to visual inspections and yellow traps, following weekly application from days 30 to 105 post-planting to monitor pest (e.g., Frankliniella occidentalis, Aphididae) and beneficial insect (e.g., Coccinellidae, Apis mellifera) populations, the 2.50% formulation performed similarly to chemical treatments against pests, whilst being harmless to beneficial insects. Post-harvest analysis showed that the formulations achieved 73% of conventional yields, with comparable tuber damage and levels of Premnotrypes vorax larvae. Conclusions: Toxicological tests confirmed the eco-friendliness of the formulations, making them suitable for small-scale Andean ‘chakras’ in organic farming and honey production, without the use of chemicals. Full article

The growing need for sustainable packaging materials with enhanced functionality has prompted our investigation into biodegradable polymers reinforced with nanostructures. In this work, we began by extracting anthocyanins from pigmented native potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and confirming their concentration via UV–Visible spectroscopy. The corresponding potato starch was then characterized according to its amylose and amylopectin contents. The natural pigments subsequently served as reducing and stabilizing agents in a green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which were subsequently incorporated into starch matrices derived from the same tuber. To evaluate the performance of the resulting composite films, we examined their pH-responsive color behavior—demonstrating their potential as visual indicators—their molecular structure through FTIR analysis—to verify the successful integration of AgNPs—and their moisture content as a measure of barrier properties. The AgNP-containing films exhibited markedly improved color stability across varying pH levels and superior moisture retention compared to pure starch films. These results illustrate the promise of combining underutilized Andean crops with eco-friendly nanotechnology to produce advanced, biodegradable materials suitable for intelligent food-packaging applications. Full article

Chuño is a traditional Andean product obtained by freezing, thawing, and drying potatoes. This study aimed to assess how different Andean potato varieties (Chihuanki Negro [C], Puka Huayro Machu [P], and Yana Huayro Machu [Y]) and freezing temperatures (−10 °C, −20 °C, and −30 °C) modulate the physicochemical (pH, acidity, and moisture), bioactive (phenolics and antioxidant activity), nutritional (proximate composition and minerals), and techno-functional (water absorption and swelling power) attributes of chuño. The results revealed that variety C retained higher macronutrient levels at 10 °C, featuring higher carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals (e.g., magnesium and zinc), while P showed enhanced fiber and mineral retention, alongside a faster rehydration and antioxidant capacity, particularly at −20 °C and −30 °C. Color differences were also noted, with P presenting reddish tones and a higher luminosity, whereas C had a more intense yellow hue linked to carotenoids. In general, −10 °C and −20 °C better preserved antioxidant compounds than −30 °C. These findings underscore how the proper selection of potato variety and freezing temperature can optimize the nutritional, functional, and sensory characteristics of chuño. However, these outcomes stem from selected samples, suggesting that further research is needed to confirm the broader applicability of the proposed method across additional varieties and process conditions. Full article

This study focused on 48 landraces from Yunnan Province, with seven commercially bred varieties as controls. Descriptive analysis and variance analysis were employed to evaluate the landraces across various aspects, including agronomic traits, tuber characteristics, and quality attributes. The results indicated that compared with commercial varieties, landraces exhibited unique appearances with deeper eyes and smaller and irregularly shaped tubers. In terms of texture, landraces had greater firmness and poorer mealiness but possessed a richer potato flavor, resulting in higher overall scores than commercial varieties. The mineral content of landraces was slightly lower than that of commercial varieties but similar to that of Andean landraces. The starch from landraces demonstrated better thermal stability but was more prone to retrogradation. Textural properties showed that landraces had greater hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness compared with commercial varieties, indicating a denser texture, poorer mealiness, greater firmness, and consistent results with the sensory evaluation. In summary, landraces represent crucial genetic resources in breeding programs. A comprehensive study of the sensory characteristics, agronomic traits, and mineral content of landraces is essential for effectively utilizing these resources to broaden the genetic base of potato germplasm. Full article

Protease inhibitors are biomolecules with growing biotechnological and biomedical relevance, including those derived from plants. This study investigated strong trypsin inhibitors in quinoa, amaranth, and lupine seeds, plant grains traditionally used in Andean South America. Amaranth seeds displayed the highest trypsin inhibitory activity, despite having the lowest content of aqueous soluble and thermostable protein material. This activity, directly identified by enzymatic assay, HPLC, intensity-fading mass spectrometry (IF-MS), and MS/MS, was attributed to a single protein of 7889.1 Da, identified as identical in Amaranthus caudatus and A. hybridus, with a K_i of 1.2 nM for the canonical bovine trypsin. This form of the inhibitor, which is highly homogeneous and scalable, was selected, purified, and structurally–functionally characterized due to the high nutritional quality of amaranth seeds as well as its promising agriculture–biotech–biomed applicability. The protein was crystallized in complex with bovine trypsin, and its 3D crystal structure resolved at 2.85 Å, revealing a substrate-like transition state interaction. This verified its classification within the potato I inhibitor family. It also evidenced that the single disulfide bond of the inhibitor constrains its binding loop, which is a key feature. Cell culture assays showed that the inhibitor did not affect the growth of distinct plant microbial pathogen models, including diverse bacteria, fungi, and parasite models, such as Mycoplasma genitalium and Plasmodium falciparum. These findings disfavour the notion that the inhibitor plays an antimicrobial role, favouring its potential as an agricultural insect deterrent and prompting a redirection of its functional research. Full article

Soil acidity is a major limiting factor for potato production in Peru’s high Andean region. This study aims to predict the spatial variability of soil acidity as a fundamental tool for recommending site-specific liming treatments and to identify the physical–chemical characteristics most closely related to soil acidity. The soil samples were collected from five locations in the province of Pachitea, Huánuco. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), and Pearson correlation analysis were used to identify the soil properties contributing most to total variance and those most strongly correlated with soil acidity. The ordinary geostatistical kriging method evaluated the predictive accuracy for 23 soil properties and liming requirements over a 28,463 ha area, at a spatial resolution of 10 m. Results showed that the Plaza Punta and Buenos Aires locations had more degraded acidic soils, with frequencies between 55% and 100% above the general mean (30.94 ± 24.87%) and the critical threshold (25%) for potato cultivation. Variables such as exchangeable calcium percentage (ECP), Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, sand content, and organic matter strongly correlated with soil acidity, while exchangeable H⁺ and ECP were the main contributors to the total variance. Geostatistical analysis revealed that Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ had the highest R² values (0.87 and 0.76, respectively), indicating a strong fit between observed and predicted values in the spatial analysis of soil acidity. It is concluded that the agricultural dolomite requirements in the localities of Plaza Punta and Buenos Aires exhibit high spatial predictability. Additionally, the analysis of diverse soil physicochemical properties is emphasized as critical for determining precise application rates. Full article

In Peru’s Andean region, a diversity of seeds and tubers with high nutritional value and health benefits are grown. Nevertheless, chronic malnutrition and obesity emphasize the need to take advantage of our agricultural wealth to improve public health and ensure sustainable development. The aim of this study was to develop an instant puree with native potatoes (Solanum andigenum) and black mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) fortified with black quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). This study employed a simplex centroid mixture design. The proximal compositions of the three formulations developed were as follows: moisture content of 9.37 ± 0.13% to 9.45 ± 0.06%, ash content of 3.34 ± 0.02% to 3.79 ± 0.17%, protein content of 9.48 ± 0.25% to 11.16 ± 0.38% and total carbohydrate content of 72.81 ± 0.35% to 74.98 ± 0.22%. The samples showed significantly higher antioxidant (7280 ± 113.5 µg trolox/g powder to 12914 ± 604 µg trolox/g powder) and phenolic (3444 ± 241 µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) /g powder to 7044 ± 322 µg GAE/g powder) content than the control sample. Also, the results of the techno-functional properties of the samples were as follows: water absorption capacity 3.56 ± 0.92 g H₂O/g to 3.95 ± 0.07 g H₂O/g, solubility 14.45 ± 0.07% to 17.88 ± 0.15% and in vitro protein digestibility 70.27 ± 0.05% to 71.61 ± 0.8%. The samples demonstrated an adequate balance of amino acids compared with the control sample. The sensory characteristics of rehydrated powders were determined. Therefore, in a fast-paced world where convenience food options are part of a continuously expanding market, a nutritionally improved instant puree from ancestral crops is not only more nutritious and tastier but also contributes to sustainability and promotes culinary diversity. Full article

Considering the potential of biopolymers from underutilized Andean sources in Peru to improve the characteristics of edible films, this work aimed to evaluate the formation of a polymeric matrix composed of Nostoc and modified potato starch for the formulation of edible films for food coating. The effects of polymer matrix ratio and drying temperature on films obtained by thermoforming were studied, determining the water vapor permeability and mechanical properties using a multifactorial design. Additionally, thermal properties were characterized by TGA and DSC, and structural properties by FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the films exhibited lower solubility, lighter hues, better water vapor resistance, higher tensile strength, and improved thermal stability with increasing modified starch content. The formulation with higher Nostoc content exhibited a more homogeneous surface according to microscopy images, and no new chemical bonds were formed by adding modified starch and Nostoc to the polymer matrix, according to FT-IR spectra. These findings are promising and suggest using Nostoc for elaborating edible films composed of native and modified starch from native Andean potatoes as bio-based materials with potential application in the food industry. Full article

Changes in land-use practices have been a central element of human adaptation to Holocene climate change. Many practices that result in the short-term stabilization of socio-natural systems, however, have longer-term, unanticipated consequences that present cascading challenges for human subsistence strategies and opportunities for subsequent adaptations. Investigating complex sequences of interaction between climate change and human land-use in the past—rather than short-term causes and effects—is therefore essential for understanding processes of adaptation and change, but this approach has been stymied by a lack of suitably-scaled paleoecological data. Through a high-resolution paleoecological analysis, we provide a 7000-year history of changing climate and land management around Lake Acopia in the Andes of southern Peru. We identify evidence of the onset of pastoralism, maize cultivation, and possibly cultivation of quinoa and potatoes to form a complex agrarian landscape by c. 4300 years ago. Cumulative interactive climate-cultivation effects resulting in erosion ended abruptly c. 2300 years ago. After this time, reduced sedimentation rates are attributed to the construction and use of agricultural terraces within the catchment of the lake. These results provide new insights into the role of humans in the manufacture of Andean landscapes and the incremental, adaptive processes through which land-use practices take shape. Full article

Agriculture in the Andean region is mainly small-scale and rainfed, especially in Peru where almost 80% of its population depends on agriculture-related activities. Climate change in addition to social factors threatens the food security of this region. The forecast of more frequent dry spells would especially affect potato crops, domesticated centuries ago in the Andes, where there remains a great genetic diversity. This study aimed to characterize the response to drought stress of 79 potato landraces traditionally grown in the Central Andes of Peru (Pasco region) as a first selection for future breeding evaluations. The used indices were mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress tolerance (STI), stress susceptibility (SSI), and tolerance index (TOL), and a scoring methodology that integrates all of them into a single descriptor in a simple and fast way. The varied responses showed a wide genetic diversity within the assessed landraces, where at least nine of them own high resilience and productivity qualities, and many others are highly vulnerable to drought. It is recommended to complement these studies with physiological and molecular evaluations in stress situations, especially in those with tolerance qualities highlighted in this study, and thus promote the conservation of the biodiversity of this region. Full article

Nanoencapsulation of native potato bioactive compounds by spray-drying improves their stability and bioavailability. The joint effect of the inlet temperature and the ratio of the encapsulant (quinoa starch/gum arabic) on the properties of the nanocapsules is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the best conditions for the nanoencapsulation of these compounds. The effects of two inlet temperatures (96 and 116 °C) and two ratios of the encapsulant (15 and 25% w/v) were evaluated using a factorial design during the spray-drying of native potato phenolic extracts. During the study, measurements of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity, and various physical and structural properties were carried out. Higher inlet temperatures increased bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. However, a higher concentration of the encapsulant caused the dilution of polyphenols and anthocyanins. Instrumental analyses confirmed the effective encapsulation of the nuclei in the wall materials. Both factors, inlet temperature, and the encapsulant ratio, reduced the nanocapsules’ humidity and water activity. Finally, the ideal conditions for the nanoencapsulation of native potato bioactive compounds were determined to be an inlet temperature of 116 °C and an encapsulant ratio of 15% w/v. The nanocapsules obtained show potential for application in the food industry. Full article

This study aimed to extract and characterize the morphological, physicochemical, thermal, and rheological properties of the starches of native potatoes grown in the department of Puno. Among the varieties evaluated were sweet native potato varieties Imilla Negra (Solanum tuberosum spp. Andígena), Imilla Blanca (Solanum tuberosum spp. Andígena), Peruanita, Albina or Lomo (Solanum chaucha), and Sutamari, and the bitter potatoes Rucki or Luki (Solanum juzepczukii Buk), Locka (Solanum curtilobum), Piñaza (Solanum curtilobum), and Ocucuri (Sola-num curtilobum), acquired from the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA-Puno). The proximal composition, amylose content, and morphological, thermal, and rheological properties that SEM, DSC, and a rheometer determined, respectively, were evaluated, and the data obtained were statistically analyzed using a completely randomized design and then a comparison of means using Tukey’s LSD test. The results show a significant difference in the proximal composition (p ≤ 0.05) concerning moisture content, proteins, fat, ash, and carbohydrates. Thus, the amylose content was also determined, ranging from 23.60 ± 0.10 to 30.33 ± 0.15%. The size morphology of the granules is 13.09–47.73 µm; for the thermal and rheological properties of the different varieties of potato starch, it is shown that the gelatinization temperature is in a range of 57 to 62 °C and, for enthalpy, between 3 and 5 J/g. Full article

Kañawa/Cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) is the lesser-known cousin of the domesticated Andean pseudocereal quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). In 1970, Daniel Gade hypothesized that Andean farmers may have domesticated volunteer wild kañawa plants that occupied quinoa or potato fields after observing that they could survive harsh climatic events such as drought or frost. To revisit this question of kañawa domestication, this paper provides an overview of the current botanical, genetic, and archaeological knowledge of kañawa domestication. It then provides patterns in the presence of wild and domesticated kañawa seeds from archaeological sites in the southern Lake Titicaca Basin of Bolivia, spanning the Formative and Tiwanaku periods from approximately 1500 BCE to 1100 CE. This archaeobotanical evidence supports Gade’s hypothesis that kañawa was a later domesticate, not appearing until after 250 CE. Regional paleoclimatic evidence of frequent climatic fluctuations lends support to the argument that kañawa contributed to a diversified food supply, which could provide a buffer against climate risks. Full article

Native potatoes (Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena) have diverse pigments and are cultivated in Peru’s high Andean regions; they are characterized by containing bioactive compounds that prevent various degenerative diseases. The study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and sensory quality in chips of native potato clones grown at 3496 m altitude, for which the potatoes were cut into slices and fried in extra virgin olive oil at 180 °C for 200 s. This was determined by proximal analysis, reducing sugars, minerals, color, antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and anthocyanins in fresh and chips; an instrumental characterization by FTIR and SEM and sensory tests were also performed. The native potatoes presented low moisture and reduced sugar contents; when frying, their bioactive properties improved, increasing AC, TPC, and trace elements, such as K, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, and Zn. To conclude, fresh clones have high yields in the field and are an essential source of nutrients and bioactive; the salt-free chips of clone B presented better physicochemical properties and greater sensory acceptance, closely followed by clone A. Both clones could be used as raw material by food companies that produce snacks to benefit high Andean agricultural producers. Full article