SHORT-TERM STORAGE OF POTATOES IN HEAPS: EVALUATION OF CIPC COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

Abstract

An improved heap storage technology with the use of methanol based commercial formulation (a.i. 50%) of CIPC (isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate) has been developed for short-term storage of table and processing potatoes. In efforts to reduce the use of chemicals on food products, efficacy of CIPC spray in water medium (with shaking) and a water based formulation (a.i. 30.24%) were evaluated for sprout inhibition and suitability of such stored potatoes for processing.CIPC spray in methanol controlled sprouting in potatoes up to 90 days of storage, but sprout inhibition was significantly reduced when methanol based formulation was sprayed in water medium with a knapsack sprayer where vigorous shaking was not possible. Water based CIPC formulation, however, was effective up to 100 days even with partial shaking and significantly reduced sprouting (by 94.4%), sprouting index (by 79%) and sprout weight (by 95.5%) as compared to control. Reducing sugars in potatoes decreased and chip colour improved at 90 days of storage but higher sucrose accumulation on prolonged storage up to 100 days adversely affected the chip colour in all the varieties except Kufri Chipsona-1. Both the CIPC formulations (methanol and water based) were equally effective, but CIPC particles need to be fully dispersed in the spraying medium.