Potatoes experience extensive physical, chemical, and physiological changes during harvesting, curing, storage, handling, shipping, and marketing, resulting in quality degradation and weight loss. The study used 540 farmer respondents, 270 for each zone, and formal questionnaires to investigate postharvest loss of potatoes in the Awi and South Gondar zones of Ethiopia's Amhara Region. The overall postharvest loss from production (farm-gate level) to consumption level was 205.43 and 171.51 kg/ha in the Awi and South Gondar zones, respectively. A total of 99% of farmers in the Awi Zone, as well as all South Gondar respondents, lost potatoes after harvest. The Awi Zone experienced the highest and lowest average losses of potatoes during storage (44%) and transportation (3%), while the South Gondar Zone also had the highest and lowest potato loss levels during storage (34%) and transportation (2%). Potatoes were collected manually in all research locations using conventional methods like animal plowing and hand tools, without the use of automated harvesting techniques. According to the survey, 92% of farmers in the Awi Zone and 90% in the South Gondar Zone employ traditional storage systems, while 7% and 9% use contemporary methods. In the South Gondar Zone, 100% of respondents analyzed seed storability, while in the Awi Zone, 84% did so. Gudene is the most popular cultivar for seed storage, accounting for 38% in the Awi Zone and 44% in the South Gondar Zone. However, 16% of respondents were unaware of potato varieties suited for seed storage in the Awi Zone.
The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella, is a major global pest threatening potato production. Wild potato species, possessing rich genetic diversity and valuable resistance traits, serve as a crucial genetic reservoir for improving cultivated varieties. This study aimed to identify specific wild potato volatiles that mediate host-plant resistance by deterring oviposition in P. operculella. Oviposition cage assays revealed significantly lower egg deposition on wild species leaves compared to susceptible cultivated varieties. These results indicated that the pest had oviposition preference for the cultivated potato varieties, or the wild potato varieties may emit volatiles that deter gravid females, thus influencing oviposition selection. Comparative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified nine volatiles that were either specific to or elevated in wild potato varieties. Significant dose-dependent electroantennogram (EAG) responses from gravid moths were recorded for five of these compounds: benzaldehyde, acetic acid, propanoic acid, γ-terpinene, and (E)-2-hexenal. In subsequent behavioral assays, olfactory repellence in a four-arm olfactometer was induced by benzaldehyde (from 10 μg) and γ-terpinene (from 100 μg), whereas (E)-2-hexenal was effective only at the highest tested dose (1000 μg). In parallel oviposition preference tests, both benzaldehyde and γ-terpinene significantly deterred egg-laying at a lower dose of 10 μg, whereas (E)-2-hexenal required 1000 μg to achieve a similar inhibitory effect. These findings provide experimental evidence and a theoretical basis for subsequent research on insect chemical communication and demonstrate the potential of these compounds for developing ecology-based strategies in integrated PTM management. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
Here, the proximate composition, total amino acid content and antioxidant activity of Agria, Désirée and Kennebec potato varieties cultivated on the Matese plateau (Campania region, Southern Italy) were evaluated. Significant differences were observed among varieties in terms of proteins (1.98-3.07 g/100 g FW), carbohydrates (12.05-15.78 g/100 g FW) and moisture (78.42-84.68 g/100 g FW), while lipids were consistently low (~0.1 g/100 g FW), ~2.6-fold lower than 'gold' potatoes, used as a reference. Ashes were relatively high (1.10-1.39 g/100 g FW), ~1.4-fold higher than 'gold' potatoes. Total amino acid profiles were similar, although statistically significant differences were observed for Glx (glutamic acid + glutamine) and Asx (aspartic acid + asparagine), which are the most abundant amino acids, followed by valine, arginine and lysine. The chemical score of essential amino acids highlights that Matese potato varieties have a high nutritional content of phenylalanine + tyrosine and threonine, with average chemical scores of ~99.8% and 91.6%, respectively, while leucine is the limiting amino acid. The free amino acid profile does not show statistically significant differences. The total phenolic content (TPC) of analysed varieties (57.85-123.27 mg GAE/100 g of FW) was higher than those reported in the literature and directly correlated with the evaluated antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH). Finally, Matese potatoes are rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, with minor minerals (~1.6%) and selenium traces (~0.53 µg/100 g FW). Overall, these findings highlight the potential of Matese potatoes to enhance local consumption, preserve culinary heritage and support gastronomic tourism growth.
Myzus persicae is one of the most common potato pests. We evaluated the resistance of four potato (Solanum tubersum) cultivars (Evely Lucette, Burbank, Innovator, and Lucinda V7) to M. persicae by linking the age-stage two-sex life table, computer simulation, settling preference, and field investigation. Myzus persicae exhibited significantly shorter pre-adult developmental duration and total pre-reproductive period, and significantly higher fecundity ( F $$ F $$ ) when reared on Evely Lucette compared to other cultivars. The pre-adult survival rate ( s a $$ {s}_a $$ ) was significantly higher on Evely Lucette than on Lucinda V7. The significantly highest net reproductive rate ( R 0 $$ {R}_0 $$ ), intrinsic rate of increase ( r $$ r $$ ), and finite rate of increase ( λ $$ \lambda $$ ) occurred on Evely Lucette, while the lowest occurred on Lucinda V7. Population projection showed a larger population size and faster stage growth rate of M. persicae on Evely Lucette than on Lucinda V7 within 60 days. Compared to other cultivars, M. persicae did not reach a stable age-stage distribution on Lucinda V7 during 60-day periods. Furthermore, the settling preference showed that the number of aphids on Evely Lucette was significantly higher than that on Lucinda V7. Field investigations also showed that the population density of M. persicae on Evely Lucette was significantly higher than that on Lucinda V7 during the entire potato-growing season. These results indicate that Evely Lucette is a suitable host for the M. persicae population, whereas Lucinda V7 showed relatively higher resistance, mainly supported by demographic data and reduced settling compared with Evely Lucette. These findings provide useful information for screening aphid-resistant potato cultivars and formulating effective management strategies for potato aphids. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
The colored potatoes exhibit enhanced nutritional value due to their rich flavonoid content. Flavonoids are a class of compounds that confer a wide range of colors to plants, significantly influencing the color and quality of various plant species. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying flavonoid biosynthesis will provide important insights applicable to enhancing flavonoid accumulation in potato varieties. Through transient expression assays, we confirmed that StSPL9 is a target of miR156a. Functional studies revealed that miR156a overexpression reduces flavonoid content, a phenotype reversed by STTM-miR156a. Expanding on this, integrated multi-omics analyses demonstrated that the miR156a-StSPL9 module plays a systematic regulatory role in the biosynthesis pathways of flavonoids and anthocyanins in potato tubers. These results suggest that key downstream flavonoid pathway genes (e.g., CHS2, F3H, HST, CHS1A, BEATH, CHIL2, F3'5'H, FGGT1, and U79B6) may be regulated by miR156a-StSPL9 module, potentially contributing to the increased accumulation of hesperetin, kaempferol, and quercetin in potato tubers. By elucidating miR156a-StSPL9 regulatory module, this work provides novel insights into the metabolic networks of Solanum species and thereby establishes a foundation for the enhancement of nutritional quality in potatoes.
To examine how host plant identity shapes the performance of the invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), three sweet potato varieties (Qianshu 12, Qianshu 17, and Yushu 13) were evaluated under laboratory conditions, with maize (Xida 818) as a control. Development, survival, reproduction, and population parameters were assessed using an age-stage, two-sex life table approach. The results demonstrated that S. frugiperda completed its life cycle on all sweet potato varieties. The developmental period was significantly different in the larval stage. S. frugiperda fed with Yushu 13 had the longest pupal duration (9.97 d) and preadult duration (37.94 d). Reproductive performance was also reduced on sweet potato: adults reared on maize showed greater longevity and higher fecundity, whereas no significant differences were found between Qianshu 17 and Yushu 13. Survival patterns differed among host plants and developmental stages. Early instar survival was highest on Qianshu 12 but lowest on Yushu 13, and Qianshu 12 supported relatively higher survival from late larval stages to adulthood. Life table analysis further showed that larvae fed with three sweet potato varieties exhibited a lower net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and longer mean generation time (T) compared to those fed with corn. Overall, although sweet potato can support the development of S. frugiperda, it constrains reproduction and population growth, indicating lower host suitability.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) play crucial roles in plant signal transduction pathways, particularly in regulating responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. StMAPKKK44 was prioritized due to its predicted involvement in upregulation and its potential regulatory role in enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in potato. Here, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and identified 85 StMAPKKK genes in potato. Expression profiling under salt and drought stress revealed that 16 StMAPKKK genes were differentially expressed, with StMAPKKK44 showing significant and sustained upregulation. Subcellular localization assays demonstrated that StMAPKKK44 is localized to the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm. Furthermore, the specific interactions of StMAPKKK44 with StMAPKK1/5 were verified using complementary protein-protein interaction approaches, namely yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), and split-luciferase complementation (SLC). Functional characterization in potato cultivar 'Atlantic' via overexpression (OE) and RNA interference (RNAi) demonstrated that StMAPKKK44-OE lines exhibited improved salt and drought tolerance with enhanced plant height and biomass, whereas StMAPKKK44-RNAi lines showed increased stress sensitivity relative to non-transgenic (NT) controls. The improved stress tolerance in OE plants was associated with a potentiated antioxidant system, evidenced by significantly elevated activities of key enzymes, including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), as well as peroxidase (POD), and the transcript levels of their encoding genes. Furthermore, OE lines accumulated higher levels of osmoprotectants (proline, soluble sugars) and chlorophyll, thereby enhancing osmotic adjustment and photosynthetic capacity. Consequently, oxidative damage indicators, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage, were markedly reduced in OE plants but increased in RNAi lines. In summary, this study provides the first systematic analysis of the StMAPKKK gene family in potato and clearly demonstrates that StMAPKKK44 enhances tolerance to drought and salt stress by coordinately regulating the antioxidant defense system and osmotic balance. These findings indicate that StMAPKKK44 represents a promising molecular target for developing stress-resilient potato cultivars.
Low-temperature stress significantly limits plant growth, development, and productivity, posing a major environmental constraint. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is particularly vulnerable to low temperatures, underscoring the crucial need to enhance cold tolerance in potato breeding efforts for sustainable production. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors serve as central regulators of plant developmental processes and stress responses; however, their functional role in cold tolerance in tetraploid potato remains poorly understood. Here, we report a systematic characterization of the bZIP gene family in tetraploid potato and provide preliminary evidence that StbZIP104 enhances plant cold tolerance. A total of 191 StbZIP genes were identified and classified into 11 subfamilies, exhibiting uneven chromosomal distribution and expansion primarily driven by whole-genome and segmental duplication. Promoter cis-element analysis, together with GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, indicated that StbZIP genes are broadly associated with hormone signaling, stress responses, signal transduction, and environmental adaptation. Expression profiling under low-temperature treatment revealed eight cold-inducible StbZIP genes (log2FC ≥ 1 and FDR < 0.05), among which StbZIP104 was strongly induced (log2FC ≥ 2) and showed 5.36-fold higher expression in highly cold-resistant cultivars than in cold-sensitive cultivars. Subcellular localization confirmed that StbZIP104 is a nuclear-localized protein. Functional validation confirmed that overexpressing StbZIP104 notably improved cold tolerance in transgenic Samsun NN tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun NN). This was supported by heightened superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, increased levels of soluble protein and soluble sugars, and decreased malondialdehyde content compared to the wild type under cold stress. This study establishes a basis for the functional characterization of the bZIP gene family in tetraploid potato and serves as a theoretical reference for understanding the mechanisms that govern cold tolerance in this species.
Aphids are highly sensitive to temperature changes and play a crucial role in transmitting plant viruses, accounting for the transmission of more than 50% of viruses that cause disease in crops. Among them, Myzus persicae is a major global pest, affecting over 400 plant species and transmitting more than 100 plant viruses, including potato virus Y (PVY), which poses a severe threat to potato crops. This study examines how temperature influences the life-history traits of M. persicae and its efficiency in transmitting PVY. Our research revealed that temperature significantly affects developmental duration, survival, and fecundity of M. persicae. The aphids exhibited the longest lifespan at 10 °C and the shortest at 30 °C. Similarly, fecundity declined from 29.81 offspring per female at 10 °C to 14.25 at 30 °C. PVY transmission efficiency was highest at 20 °C. We also mapped potential PVY transmission regions and identified tropical and subtropical areas as high-risk due to their favourable temperatures and predicted abundance of aphids. Regional temperature differences significantly influence aphid development and PVY spread, necessitating localized management strategies. Our findings emphasize the importance of integrating climatological, ecological, and epidemiological data to develop robust pest/disease management strategies that mitigate the impact of M. persicae and PVY on potato production, thereby enhancing global food security.
Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting offers numerous advantages in crop or seed production and can enhance crop yields. This study evaluated four types of LED lights, with three different light spectra and two different light intensities, for their physiological and yield effects on the potato. We found that the LA-H light treatment enhanced potato yields in an artificial growth chamber comparable to those achieved in the field based on yield, organic biomass, plant morphology, leaf photosynthesis parameters, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations under different light treatments. The red-blue irradiance ratio was the primary factor influencing plant morphology and physiology. Incorporating the LA-H system into the minituber production process yielded positive investment returns. Using transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying potato responses to different light treatments and spectra. High-intensity light increased α-solanine concentrations in leaves, with GAME4 (DM8C12G06070) and GAME12 (DM8C12G06060) identified as key genes in its biosynthesis. The distinct cis-acting motifs associated with light intensity and spectrum responses were found. Furthermore, bioengineering approaches targeting putative genes and cis-elements could enhance potato resilience and adaptability to controlled environments. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-37163-0.
Reinventing the tetraploid potato as an inbred-line-based diploid crop has become an increasingly attractive strategy to accelerate genetic gain in potato breeding. During this process, haploid induction holds great potential, as it enables the rapid production of homozygous inbred lines. However, the genomic consequences of haploid induction remain largely unclear and controversial. Here, we systematically investigated the genomic outcomes of one diploid-to-haploid induction in potato using large-scale whole-genome sequencing. Starting from a heterozygous diploid genotype (YS1), we generated 779 haploid progeny and sequenced each genome to an average depth of ~15×. Leveraging these genomic data, we identified a rare aneuploid individual carrying an additional paternal genomic segment, constructed a high-resolution recombination map at the individual gamete level, and assessed the associated de novo mutation burden arising during haploid induction. More importantly, we discovered and experimentally validated the introgression of genomic segments from haploid inducer (HI) into haploid progeny. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the genomic consequences of haploid induction in potato and shed light on the mechanisms underlying HI genome elimination. These results offer valuable guidance for optimizing haploid-based breeding strategies and advancing the development of homozygous diploid inbred lines in this important crop.
Dry rot is one of the most destructive postharvest diseases of potato tubers, primarily attributed to fungal pathogens capable of surviving and initiating infection under low-temperature storage conditions. Although several Fusarium species have been recognized as major causal agents worldwide, the pathogenic diversity of fungi associated with cold-stored potatoes in Korea remains less characterized. In this study, twelve fungal isolates obtained from dry rot lesions were taxonomically placed using ITS sequencing and evaluated for their pathogenicity on wounded tubers of the cultivar 'Superior' during cold storage (4 °C for 5 weeks). Lesion development was quantified to compare pathogenic activity among isolates. All isolates induced rot, although pathogenicity varied significantly among species. Fusarium spp., including tested isolates belonging to the F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC), F. boothii, and the F. fujikuroi species complex (FFSC), produced substantial lesions, and Clonostachys rosea, typically regarded as a biocontrol agent, also caused measurable rot under cold conditions. These results provide foundational information regarding the fungal species associated with dry rot in cold-stored potatoes under the specific conditions tested. Our findings suggest that management strategies should consider not only well-known Fusarium species but also opportunistic fungi capable of colonizing potato tubers at low temperatures.
Potato trypsin inhibitor (PTI) is a high-value bioactive protein from potato processing wastewater with potential applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study systematically compared three extraction strategies-acid precipitation-salting out, direct resin adsorption, and zinc ion precipitation-for PTI recovery from simulated potato processing wastewater. Acid precipitation-salting out emerged as the most effective approach, yielding PTI with high purity (63.62% protein), superior specific activity (533.06 TIU/mg), and enhanced structural stability evidenced by high β-sheet content (48.09%), narrow particle size distribution, and elevated zeta potential. The extracted PTI exhibited favorable emulsifying capacity (66.68%), foam stability exceeding 80%, broad pH stability, and moderate resistance to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (73.98% activity retention). In contrast, resin adsorption achieved higher yield but lower purity and functionality, while zinc ion precipitation introduced significant heavy metal residue risks. This work establishes acid precipitation-salting out as a scalable strategy for high-quality PTI extraction and highlights its dual functionality as a bioactive and techno-functional ingredient, supporting sustainable valorization of potato processing waste.
Diploid potato breeding enables faster genetic improvement via selection against deleterious alleles in inbred lines, unlike breeding by intercrossing tetraploid varieties. Starch is the major source of calories in potato tubers, but the starch properties of diploid lines have rarely been reported. In this study, we provide a comprehensive characterisation of tuber and starch properties in two diploid lines that are early isolates from the Solynta breeding program, B26 and B100, and their F1 hybrids. B100 produced fewer, but larger tubers compared to B26, and both diploid lines produced tubers that are smaller than the tetraploid variety, Clearwater Russet. The low tuber yield of B100 correlates with its high self-compatibility and fruit production. Pruning of fruits in B100 significantly increased total tuber yield per plant by stimulating more tuber initiations, but had no effect on average tuber weight, starch content or starch structure. Among the diploid, hybrid and tetraploid lines examined, there were no differences in the total starch content of tubers. Although amylopectin structure and amylose content were similar between the two diploid lines and the tetraploid comparison, B26 had elevated levels of resistant starch and a striking elongated granule morphology. Our results showcase the variation in source-sink relations and starch structure in diploid potato breeding material, demonstrating their potential for research into the genetics underpinning metabolic and quality traits.
Three actinomycete strains, WSLK1-3T, WSLK1-4, and WSLK1-5, associated with scabby potato tuber, were characterized using polyphasic and genome-based taxonomy. All strains were found to be Gram-stain-positive, filamentous bacteria, including LL-diaminopimelic acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan. Whole-cell sugars were glucose, mannose, rhamnose, and ribose. MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H10) were major menaquinones; C16:0, isoC16:0, anteiso-C15:0, and anteiso-C17:0 were major cellular fatty acids; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol mannoside were major phospholipids; and DNA G + C contents were 71.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences indicated that strains WSLK1-3T, WSLK1-4, and WSLK1-5 are closely related to Streptomyces canus DSM 40017T (=JCM 4212T), and S. pseudovenezuelae DSM 40212T (=JCM 11516T), respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequences, average nucleotide identity based on BLAST (ANIb) and MUMmer (ANIm), and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values among the three strains were 100%, 99.12%, 99.33%, and 94.3%, respectively, indicating that these strains belong to the same species. Strains WSLK1-3T, WSLK1-4, and WSLK1-5 showed 88.54-90.62% ANIb, 90.99-92.27% ANIm, and 40.4-45.1% to their closely related type strains: S. canus JCM 4212T, and S. pseudovenezuelae JCM 11516T. All novel strains were pathogenic, causing necrosis on potato tuber slices, inhibiting plant seedlings, and inducing superficial to raised scab lesions on potato tubers. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, pathogenic, and genomic data, strains WSLK1-3T, WSLK1-4, and WSLK1-5 could be assigned to the novel species within the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces tuberiscabiei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WSLK1-3T (=TBRC 19150T = LMG 33893T).
Glycoalkaloids (GA) are endogenous metabolites of the plant family Solanaceae and considered as contaminants. However, their stability and reactivity during high-temperature food processing such as frying and deep-frying of potatoes has not been comprehensively studied. Consequently, the aim of this study was to characterize the reactivity of GA in heat-induced reactions by investigating the formation of novel reaction products. Based on the assumption that GA may be present in cell membranes and may react with lipids and amphiphilic compounds, in conjunction with the results of preliminary screening measurements for reaction products, this work focused on reactions with (endogenous) lipids. For this purpose, pure GA were incubated with fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic acid) at temperatures commonly applied during deep-frying (180 °C). Reaction products formed were characterized by multi-stage high-resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry. Two novel reaction pathways were identified and described - esterification of GA with fatty acids via hydroxyl groups of the sugar moiety and oxidation of the steroidal alkaloid moiety. Additionally, the formation of these products was verified in processed potato matrices, without the addition of frying oil, which indicates that the ester formation originates from the tuber's endogenous fatty acids. Consequently, the findings presented herein contribute to the understanding of the chemical fate of GA during thermal processing of potato products. However, the total amounts formed must still be determined, and a toxicological study must then be conducted to assess the extent to which the reaction products affect on human nutrition.
Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are an important family of enzymes involved in plant detoxification, maintenance of redox homeostasis, and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the evolutionary characteristics and functional roles of the potato GST pan-gene family have not yet been systematically investigated at the pan-genome level. In this study, based on high-quality potato genomes constructed from 45 diploid accessions, GST gene family members were systematically identified, and their evolutionary features and expression patterns were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis classified the GST family into six subgroups, among which the soft-core gene StGST7 and the near-core genes StGST8 and StGST16 were assigned to the Phi and Tau subgroups, respectively. Selection pressure analysis indicated that five StGST genes may have undergone positive selection, whereas most of the remaining genes were mainly subjected to purifying selection. Structural variation significantly affected the expression of StGST42 and the conserved domains of its encoded protein. Expression profiling revealed that GST family members exhibited clear tissue-specific expression patterns and responded differentially to drought, salt, high temperature, ABA, and IAA treatments. Co-expression network analysis revealed significant positive and negative correlations between multiple transcription factors and StGST gene expression, suggesting their potential involvement in the coordinated regulation of StGST genes. Further analyses demonstrated that StGST7 was significantly differentially expressed under multiple stress conditions, and its heterologous expression enhanced yeast tolerance to salt and drought stress. This study revealed the evolutionary characteristics and potential functions of the potato GST gene family and provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation of environmental adaptation.
Potato is an important crop worldwide, yet its production is severely threatened by Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight. Alternatives to the current control strategies are needed, as these rely heavily on environmentally harmful treatments. The recruitment of beneficial microbes by plants upon stress ("cry-for-help" mechanism) may represent an opportunity to find new biocontrol agents but this has not yet been reported for potato. The aim of this study was to analyse whether foliar late blight infection induces shifts in the phyllosphere, rhizosphere and soil bacterial communities associated with two potato cultivars of differing sensitivity to late blight. Moreover, we aimed at isolating plant microbiota members to test whether bacteria putatively recruited upon infection would be particularly active in protecting the plant against late blight. Controlled foliar infection triggered substantial, cultivar-specific shifts in rhizosphere communities across two successive generations. Despite the number of differentially abundant ASVs detected being ten times higher in the second generation than in the first one, the same taxonomic groups were involved in the shifts: Burkholderiales, Flavobacteriales, and Bacillales. Furthermore, the communities linked to the susceptible cultivar consistently shifted more strongly upon infection than the communities linked to the resistant cultivar. The obtained ASV sequences were used to identify 163 corresponding isolates through sequence alignment. Their inhibition potential against P. infestans sporangia and zoospores was assessed through biological assays. These revealed the biocontrol potential of genera otherwise not yet known to inhibit phytopathogenic organisms, such as Advenella, Nocardioides and Phyllobacterium strains. Although we found no correlation between the relative abundance shift of the ASVs upon infection and the activity of the corresponding strains, we observed that the overall activity of strains isolated from the resistant cultivar was higher than that of the strains isolated from the susceptible one. Taken together, the higher activity of the strains isolated from the resistant cultivar, along with its comparatively modest microbiome shifts upon infection suggest that the investigated resistant cultivar might harbour specific microbiota enriched in strains that are able to inhibit pathogen development and possibly contribute to its higher resistance against P. infestans.
Purple sweet potato leaves are a rich source of caffeoylquinic acids (CQA) and related compounds with potential metabolic benefits. Our previous research demonstrated that 5-CQA and 3,4-diCQA increase mitochondrial respiration in primary hepatocytes. To explore the translational relevance of purple sweet potato leaves extract (PSPLE) in the management and treatment of obesity, we evaluated the effect of PSPLE in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet supplemented with either 1% or 3% PSPLE (w/w) and assessed insulin secretion in INS-1E cells. PSPLE phenolic compounds were identified by LC-MS. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed (1) a Control, (2) high-fat (HF) diet, (3) HF diet supplemented with 1% and (4) HF diet supplemented with 3% of PSPLE for 15 weeks. Body composition, energy expenditure, glucose and insulin tolerance, serum metabolites, and tissue morphology were evaluated. AMPK activation was analyzed in the liver and skeletal muscle. Complementary, β-cell function was assessed in vitro. LC-MS revealed that PSPLE contained abundant CQA derivatives (5-CQA, caffeic acid, 3,4-di-CQA, 3,5-di-CQA, 4,5-di-CQA, 4 F-5CQA, and 3,4,5-tri-CQA). The HF + 1% PSPLE diet attenuated weight gain and adipocyte hypertrophy, increased brown adipose UCP-1 expression, and prevented hepatic steatosis. AMPK phosphorylation was enhanced in the liver and muscle, paralleling higher oxygen consumption and energy expenditure. Although PSPLE stimulated β-cell metabolism and insulin secretion in vitro, in vivo glucose tolerance showed only modest improvement, likely reflecting the multiple regulatory inputs on insulin secretion under physiological conditions. PSPLE enhanced metabolic flexibility and oxidative capacity in HF-fed mice by activating AMPK-dependent pathways in muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. The higher efficacy of the 1% PSPLE indicates a hormetic response, where low polyphenol exposure triggers adaptive mitochondrial and metabolic activation, on the contrary, higher doses offer no further benefits. These results present PSPLE as a sustainable, polyphenol-rich food ingredient with potential to combat obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.
Comprehensive characterization of starch diversity in global potato germplasm is critical for targeted breeding and end-use applications. This study evaluated 137 potato germplasms from 16 countries across three environments, and significant genotypic and environmental variation was observed in tuber starch (9.358%-24.143%), amylose (14.882%-30.814%), amylopectin, sucrose, and reducing sugar contents (0.025-0.888). Multi-scale analyses were performed on 15 representative accessions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed considerable differences in starch granule shape, density, and size (5.465-51.000 μm) among fresh tubers. Extracted starches exhibited unimodal particle size distributions. FTIR-derived R₁₀₄₇/₁₀₂₂ values (1.127-1.214) indicated diverse short-range molecular order. All starch gels exhibited predominant elastic behavior (G' > G"). Granule shape correlated with internal structural order, whereas particle size distribution of extracted starch showed no significant correlation with fresh-tuber granule characteristics. These findings enhance understanding of potato starch diversity and provide a foundation for germplasm utilization and breeding for tailored starch properties.