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Postharvest Effect of Wood-Ash Concentration on the Proximate and Mineral Compositions of Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) during Storage
Abstract
AOrange-Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) is rich in beta-carotene and highly moistened. It is prone to deterioration during storage. This study focused on the postharvest effect of woodash concentration on the proximate and mineral compositions of OFSP (UMUSPO 3) during storage. The roots of OFSP were freshly harvested from the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike Experimental Farm, washed, dried, and dipped into different concentrations (1,2,3,4,5 and 6% w/v) of the suspension, allowed to air-dry, and stored at 18 oC for 0, 2, and 4 weeks. The mineral, proximate compositions, and physiological weight loss were carried out in triplicate. Results showed that 4% concentration gave the best (P≤0.05) by retaining the mineral (Ca-26.89, Na-28.54, Mg-23.45, P-46.33, and K-308.27) and proximate (Moisture-62.0%, Lipid-0.20%, Fiber-0.80%, Protein-4.87%, Ash-0.81%, Carbohydrate-28.84) compositions at minimal percentage loss of weight (0.803–6.291%) after 4 weeks of storage. Generally, the concentrations of the suspension showed a positive effect with a minor effect on the percentage loss between the storage periods of OSP, showing a significant difference (P≤0.05) and control a highly significant difference (P≤0.05) throughout the experiments. Farmers are advised to use postharvest application of 4% of wood-ash suspension, as a local method, in preserving a healthy OFSP for consumption.
