Study of effect of negative air ions on potato loss reduction in long term storage

Abstract

The potatoe quality and storage life depend on temperature, relative humidity, gas composition, and air circulation in the storage building. In the event the parameters are violated, the potatoe weight reduces, storage diseases occur, and rot appears. Existing technologies of potato storage in cold ventilated storage buildings are ineffective. They require large expenses on power resources and microclimate systems. Scientists around the world are developing new methods of potato loss reduction during storage. They are examining the application of electric, magnetic, and microwave fields, gamma radiation, chemical inhibitors, etc. The use of gamma radiation and chemical inhibitors is a serious health risk, while other methods are still under-investigated. The article deals with the researches in negative air ion effect on potatoe quality during storage. For the experiments, the following devices were used: a negative air ion generator, an air ion meter, scales, auxiliary equipment. Researches were conducted for three potato cultivars most common in the southern regions of the Russian Federation. During the experiments, the negative air ion concentration effecting on potatoes was 4 500-4 900 ions·cm -3 , the exposure time range was from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. The conclusion from the experiments is that the loss of potatoes, exposed to air ions during 120 days of storage, is not more than 8 %. Loss of potatoes not exposed to air ions is up to 39 %. Exposure to positive air ions, on the contrary, increases the potato weight loss compared to the unexposed test patterns.

Climate Change Impacts on Potato Storage

“…Weight loss caused by respiration is an example of biochemical change. Temperature (low-temperature sweetening), relative humidity (e.g., pressure flattening), gas composition (black heart), light (greening), and mechanical (skinned tubers) are considered abiotic stresses [14,16]. Changes in the tuber's chemical composition and physical properties, including moisture loss, decay, color change, and physiological breakdown, are common deteriorations [13].…”

“…Existing storage methods require large power resources for microclimate systems [16]. Cooling and ventilation are the two most common interventions to control temperature, relative humidity, and gas composition [6,13,20].…”