Polyphenols and other natural inducers to accelerate wound healing in potatoes

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are one of the most widely consumed food crops worldwide. Postharvest losses (25-30%) due to various types of wounds (bruising, peeling, cutting, etc.) are a costly and widespread problem. Damage to tubers during harvesting, postharvest handling, packaging, and transportation causes significant quantitative and qualitative losses and leads to the development of various quality defects, such as rapid dehydration or increased susceptibility to biological stress. Rapid wound healing, along with accelerated suberization of wounded potato tubers during postharvest, is essential to support long-term storage capability and quality, as well as those for certified seed. Currently, producers and the industry lack effective, commercially relevant, and safe postharvest treatments to minimize economic losses related to wounds. Tuber Responses to WoundsWound-induced responses in potato tubers involve numerous physiological and metabolic changes in processes such as the formation of the wound closing layer and wound periderm. The biosynthesis of suberin polyphenols and suberin polyaliphatics is integral to this process. Suberization of existing parenchyma cells at the wound surface is the first stage and provides a barrier against pathogens, protecting cells from physical deterioration. Furthermore, the biosynthesis of suberin polyphenols and wound responses is directly related to the regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Regulation of HealingPrevious studies have indicated a specific role of plant growth regulators such as indole acetic acid and cytokinin during the formation of the closing layer in tubers. The metabolic regulation of protective pentose phosphate, shikimate, and phenylpropanoid pathways is directly linked to the biosynthesis of indole acetic acid and cytokinin in plant cells. Importance of Phenolic CompoundsMoreover, the correct balance of stress-protective phenolic compounds may be crucial in counteracting the effects of wounds on plant tissues. The biosynthesis of such stress-protective phenolics is directly associated with broader enzymatic antioxidant responses, specifically under different abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Natural inducers to accelerate suberization processes, such as water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide and bioprocessed blueberry pomace rich in phenolic compounds, enhance rapid responses in cut potato tuber tissues. Postharvest chitosan coating also provides protection against water vapor loss and reduces the respiration rate. These treatments result in improved accumulation of suberin polyphenols in wounded potato tissues and higher soluble phenolic content, as well as increased activity of enzymes like glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase, indicating a positive effect on redox protective functional properties, in addition to antimicrobial qualities. SourcesBiological elicitors to enhance wound healing responses in cut potato tubers Chintha, P.; Sarkar, D.; Ramakrishna, R.; Dogramaci, M.; Lulai, E. C.; Shetty, K. (2023). Scientia Horticulturae, 319: 112152. ImageWhy consuming potatoes that turn soft in a few days is not a health risk, https://maldita.es/malditaciencia/20210105/consumir-patatas-blandas-no-riesgo-salud/ ?