In sub-Saharan Africa, urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) plays an important role in improving food and nutrition security amid rapid urbanization in the region. Poor soil fertility has been suggested as the primary reason for low crop productivity in the region, however UPA is often associated with soil nutrient accumulation in other developed or recently developed nations. There is still a lack of evidence regarding soil nutrient status of UPA in this region. To understand the current soil fertility status and the impacts of soil nutrient management, an evaluation of soil profiles, surface soil conditions, and current nutrient management was conducted in Kiambu County, which is a part of the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region of Kenya. Soil samples were collected from both the Tigoni experimental station and 26 surrounding small-scale peri-urban farms. All three soil profiles were classified as Eutric Nitisols with well-developed soil structure, adequate cation exchange capacity, relatively high phosphate retention, and high base saturation. The surface soil nutrient status between the Tigoni experimental station and the surrounding farms showed significant differences except for exchangeable K, which is likely derived from the parent materials. Available phosphate (Truog-P) levels were excessively high, exceeding 1000 mg-P2O5 kg-1 in three commercial farms, and nearly half of the farms were in the excessive range, contrary to the past findings in other counties in Kenya. In contrast, phosphate levels at the experimental station were mostly deficient. Exchangeable Ca levels followed a similar trend to Truog-P, while Mg was deficient relative to K at the experimental station and relative to both K and Ca in the commercial farm fields. The use of animal manure is considered a major factor contributing to the high P and Ca levels observed in the peri-urban farm fields. Future studies are needed to explore the relationship between the current variable soil fertility status and vegetable productivity. Additionally, the introduction of a low-cost soil testing method is necessary to establish a system for optimizing the soil conditions.
Abstract A partial substitution of wheat flour with potato flour processed by various procedures was used to determine an optimal potato pretreatment method for noodle processing. Wheat flour was substituted with 10%, 30%, and 50% potato flour. Potato flour (PF) was processed using two different methods, including freeze‐drying (FD) and low‐temperature blanching, then oven drying (LTB_OD). The results showed that substituting wheat flour with freeze‐dried (FD) flour (44.29 μm) significantly decreased the mean particle size of the blended flour, while LTB_OD flour (223.09 μm) increased the mean particle size. The pasting properties of wheat flour significantly improved when potato flour was added, with FD flour blends having the highest results. The highest dough development time (14.46 min) was attained when LTB_OD potato flour was substituted up to 50%. The microstructure images showed a poor and discontinuous gluten framework when potato flour content reached 50%. Adding potato flour decreased noodles' brightness (L*) while increasing their yellowness (b*). Noodles made from wheat and LTB_OD flour blends resulted in the highest cooking loss. The texture properties of noodles deteriorated when potato flour content reached 30%. Substituting up to 30% with freeze‐dried flour and 10% LTB_OD resulted in noodles with the highest overall liking scores. The study suggests that for optimal noodle processing, substituting wheat flour with FD potato flour is more favorable than using LTB_OD, as it improves particle size, pasting properties, and overall liking scores while minimizing adverse effects on texture and cooking loss.
Digestion of protein and starch in pulses is a consequence of the interplay of both extrinsic and intrinsic factors which influence their level of encapsulation and physical state, and therefore, their accessibility by the digestive enzymes.
The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of different extraction methods and varieties on the extraction yields and quality profile of the resultant coconut oil. Three mature coconut varieties (East Africa Tall, Tall Yellow and Dwarf) were collected and subjected to different oil extraction techniques (traditional method, modified traditional method, mechanical expression and soxhlet method). The quality characteristics of the oil were determined using established standard protocols. Soxhlet extraction exhibited the highest oil yield ranging from 45.4% to 58.4% followed by mechanical expression (39.2-50.1%) and the least was traditional extraction method (6.3 to 10.2%) yield depending on variety. The Dwarf variety gave significantly lower yields compared to the other varieties. The quality characteristics were within codex standards except for the high levels of free fatty acid in traditionally (0.42%) and mechanically (0.33%) extracted oil. Lauric acid was the dominant fatty acid at 47.5%-53.5% followed by myristic acid at 15.3-18.5% depending on variety and the method of extraction. The % saturated fatty acid in all varieties was >90%. Unlike in previous studies, arachidic acid was present in all varieties. The study has demonstrated that extraction methods and variety influence the oil yield and quality characteristics of coconut oil.
Food fortification is one strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiencies among the population groups at risk. Non-compliance with fortification standards hinders the success of fortification programs. This is due to a lack of techniques to rapidly check the amounts of the added fortificants. Fourier transform - near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy is a fast and reliable technique that would be used to ensure adherence to requirements. This study aimed to investigate the potential of using FT-NIR spectroscopy to predict the amount of retinol in fortified maize flour. 150 fortified maize flour samples were used in this study. Partial least squares regression (PLS-R) was used to build calibration models based on the retinol reference values obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and fortified maize flour NIR spectra acquired from the FT-NIR spectrophotometer. Two calibration models were developed to predict retinol above and below 1.0 mg/kg. The performance metrics of model one developed to predict retinol < 1.0 mg/kg were: R2c = 0.81, RMSEE = 0.08, RPD = 2.29 and R2v = 0.82, RMSEP = 0.09, RPD = 2.07 for the calibration and validation, respectively. The second model developed to predict retinol ≥ 1.0 mg/kg had the following performance metrics: R2c = 0.93, RMSEE = 0.16, RPD = 3.58 and R2v = 0.81, RMSEP = 0.22, RPD = 2.43 for the calibration and validation, respectively. Overall, the findings demonstrated that FT-NIR spectroscopy can be utilised to reliably predict retinol levels in fortified maize flour samples. FT-NIR spectroscopy, by replacing time-consuming and laborious wet chemistry laboratory procedures, has the potential to be used for rapid regulatory monitoring of fortification compliance for a large number of samples.
The effect of temperature reconditioning on cold-stored potato tubers was investigated for three popularly consumed potato varieties (Shangi, Unica, and Dutch robjin) grown in Kenya. The potatoes were stored at 4 °C for 30 days, followed by removal and storage at 22 ± 3 °C for 9 days during which changes in sugar concentration were evaluated every two days. In parallel, potato chips and French fries were processed, and their colors were determined. The results showed that sugar content decreased significantly with increasing reconditioning time. The relative decrease in fructose content was the highest (p < 0.05) in Dutch robjin (57.49%), followed by Shangi (49.22%) and Unica (38.18%). Glucose content decreased by 54.1% in Dutch robjin, 49.5% in Shangi, and 50.8% in Unica. The lightness (L*) of French fries and chips increased significantly (p < 0.05) with reconditioning time while the redness (a*) values decreased significantly (p < 0.05) across all varieties. The correlation between lightness and the total reducing sugar content of the potatoes was r < −0.93, indicating a strong negative correlation for both products. The coefficient of determination showed that the glucose content of the tubers accounted for 80.5–97.6% of the lightness of French fries and 88.4–94.2% for potato chips. The critical glucose content range for acceptable products in French fries and chips based on the color (L* and a*) values was 12–22 mg/100g and 8–14 mg/100g, respectively, for the varieties in this study.
Processing potato tubers into flour can be done using various methods, which can impact the flour’s nutritional and pasting properties. This study evaluated the effects of five different processing methods, namely, low-temperature blanching, followed by oven drying (LTB_OD), high-temperature blanching followed by oven drying (HTB_OD), boiling followed by oven drying (Boiling_OD), freeze drying (FD), and oven drying (OD), on the nutritional and pasting properties of potato flour derived from Shangi potato variety. The relationships between the nutritional and pasting properties were determined using Pearson’s correlation and principal component analyses (PCA). The results indicated that freeze-dried flour exhibited higher protein content (10.17%), sucrose (88.87 mg/100 g), and magnesium (44.90 mg/100 g) content, while Boiling_OD flour showed the lowest protein (6.41%), sucrose (15.34 mg/100 g), and magnesium (35.55 mg/100 g) content. All potato flour types demonstrated a decrease in apparent viscosity with increasing shear rate, with freeze-dried flour having the highest apparent viscosity. Freeze-dried flour showed the highest peak viscosity (7098.33 cP) and breakdown viscosity (2672.00 cP). The highest final viscosity (7989.00 cP) was recorded in HTB_OD flour. Protein ( r = −0.92), fiber ( r = −0.81), and fat ( r = −0.83) negatively correlated with the peak viscosity, while sugars (glucose ( r = 0.95), fructose ( r = 0.93), and sucrose ( r = 0.87)) and phosphorus ( r = 0.86) positively correlated with pasting properties. The first two principal components explained 90.2% of the total variance. Oven drying and freeze drying were in close proximity in the PCA score plot, indicating that these two flour types have similar chemical and pasting properties. In conclusion, the different processing methods altered the chemical and pasting properties of the flour, therefore influencing their potential use in the food industry. Considering the correlations established in this study, it is likely that chemical properties could be used to predict the pasting properties of potato flour.
Introduction: The introduction of biofortified bean varieties has brought attention to their potential as a source of high iron and zinc content. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the nutritional composition and antinutrient content of two biofortified bean varieties in Kenya, namely Angaza and Nyota. Methodology: The Proximate composition and mineral content were analyzed using standard AOAC procedures. HPLC analysis was used to determine the Phytic acid content, and the vanillin-HCL method to analyze tannins. Results:The two bean varieties had no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in carbohydrate content, with Nyota beans at 63.21% and Angaza beans at 61.67%. However, Nyota beans exhibited significantly higher protein content (19.97%) compared to Angaza beans (18.88%) with (P < 0.05). While Nyota beans had lower crude fiber (3.65%) compared to Angaza beans (4.78%), the variety showed significantly higher crude fat content (3.23%) than Angaza (1.55%). Both varieties had similar levels of crude ash, i.e., Nyota 3.29%, and Angaza 3.35%. Nyota beans demonstrated higher Iron and Zinc levels, i.e., 5.36 mg/100g and 2.77mg/100g respectively, compared to Angaza beans, 5.07 mg/100g Iron and 2.30 mg/100g Zinc. Nyota beans showed significantly lower levels of phytic acid, i.e., 2.53 mg/g and tannins 2.32 mg/g. Conclusions: The study found no significant statistical difference in the nutritional characteristics of the two varieties. However, the Nyota had higher protein, fat and mineral content, and lower levels of phytates and tannins. Thus, this study concludes that Nyota could have potential nutritional advantages over the Angaza variety.
Storage is a fundamental part of the common bean postharvest chain that ensures a steady supply of safe and nutritious beans of acceptable cooking quality to the consumers. Although it is known that extrinsic factors of temperature and relative humidity (influencing the bean moisture content) control the cooking quality deterioration of beans during storage, the precise interactions among these extrinsic factors and the physical state of the bean matrix in influencing the rate of quality deteriorative reactions is poorly understood. Understanding the types and kinetics of (bio)chemical reactions that influence the cooking quality of beans during storage is important in establishing suitable storage conditions to ensure quality stability. In this review, we integrate the current insights on glass transition phenomena and its significance in describing the kinetics of (bio)chemical reactions that influence the cooking quality changes during storage of common beans. Furthermore, a storage stability map based on the glass transition temperature of beans as well as kinetics of the main (bio)chemical reactions linked to cooking quality deterioration during storage was designed as a guide for determining appropriate storage conditions to ensure cooking quality stability.
The presence of antinutrients in common beans negatively affects mineral bioavailability. Therefore, this study aimed to predict the antinutrient to mineral molar ratios (proxy-indicators of in vitro mineral bioavailability) of a wide range of raw bean types, using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Iron, zinc, phytate and tannin concentrations and, antinutrient to mineral molar ratios were determined. Next, model calibration using NIR spectra from milled beans was performed. This entailed wavelength selection, pre-processing and partial least squares regression. Bean type had a significant effect on tannin content. The average values of phytate to iron (Phy:Fe), phytate to zinc (Phy:Zn), tannins to iron (Tan:Fe) and phytate and tannins to iron (Phy + Tan:Fe) MRs were 27.6, 61.7, 16.0 and 43.6, respectively. With determination coefficients for test set prediction above 75%, the PLS-R models for Phy:Zn, Tan:Fe and Phy + Tan:Fe molar ratios are useful for screening purposes.
Abstract Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are nutritious and confer numerous health benefits. However, they are also high raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) and antinutrients. Appreciable amounts of RFOs and antinutrients remain after soaking and cooking, causing flatulence and lowered mineral bioavailability to bean consumers. Fermentation has been shown to lower RFOs and antinutrients in bean flours and milk. However, beans are majorly consumed as whole grains. The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol for fermenting whole common beans. We fermented boiled whole red haricot beans and evaluated their effect on RFOs, tannins, and phytates. A factorial research design was used. Beans were sorted, soaked for 15 h, and boiled for 1 h. The beans were then fermented in 2% salt–sugar solution (SSF) and 2% salt‐only solution (SOF) for 120 h. Microbial growth and pH were monitored every 24 h during fermentation. After fermentation, the beans were dried, milled, and the flours subjected to biochemical analysis. Fermentation favored the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), lowering the pH to 3.88 and 5.26 in SSF and SOF batches, respectively. Tannin content reduced significantly by 64.70% and 73.19% in the SSF and SOF batches, respectively. Phytates reduced by 58.88% and 68.85%, respectively. Raffinose reduced significantly by 96.40% and 95.01%, respectively, whereas stachyose reduced by 95.92% and 94.11%, respectively. The highest reduction of antinutrients and RFOs occurred between 24 and 72 h of fermentation. Higher antinutrient losses occurred in the SOF batch, whereas higher RFO losses occurred in the SSF batch.
During storage, common beans are susceptible to ageing leading to quality changes, in particular their cooking quality. In this study, kinetics of evolution of volatile compounds was assessed in order to gain insight into possible reactions occurring during ageing of beans. The evolution of volatile compounds of red kidney beans stored at varying conditions of temperature and moisture content relative to their glass transition temperature (Tg) were evaluated. Storage conditions highly influenced the evolution of volatile compounds whereby more volatile compounds and higher concentrations were detected in beans stored at higher temperature and moisture content. The volatile marker compounds identified are typical for protein degradation and lipid oxidation re-actions, although for beans stored at the highest moisture contents (12.8 and 14.5%) the compounds obtained do not allow to exclude microbial activity. The rate of evolution of selected volatile marker compounds was highly correlated (benzaldehyde (r = 0.58), acetic acid (r = 0.75), 1-propanol,2-methyl (r = 0.84) and 2-butanone (r = 0.89)) with storage above Tg signifying that the rate and extent of these (bio)chemical reactions can be largely controlled by storing the beans at temperatures not exceeding 20 degrees C above their Tg. Volatile profiling showed to be an important approach to monitor quality changes of beans during storage by assessing the nature, rate and extent of (bio)chemical reactions occurring.
Banana (Musa acuminata cv. ‘Grand Nain’) is prone to chilling injury (CI) during cold storage, which limits extended storage and shelf life. In this study, we investigated the postharvest application of chitosan (CS) and chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) on the CI and quality of unpacked banana fruits during and after cold storage. CSNPs were synthesized using sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), and analyzed using a Fourier infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to assess the changes in the functional groups and surface morphology. Reacting CS with STPP did not result in changes in the functional groups present but the size and morphology of CS were altered. For the treatments, banana fruits were dip coated in 0.5
A decline in common bean production has been ascribed to climate change. The adoption of improved beans aims to increase productivity, profitability, and consumption, thus reducing food and nutrition insecurity in the country. The aim of this study was to determine the proximate composition, antinutrient content, mineral content, and bioaccessibility of zinc and iron in two improved bean varieties grown in Kenya; Faida (biofortified) and RM 01 (drought tolerant)). The protein content of RM 01 (22.48%) was significantly higher than the Faida bean variety (20.90%). RM 01 bean variety had higher crude fat (4.20%) and crude fiber (4.31%) content compared to Faida which had 3.78% and 3.31% for crude fat and crude fiber respectively. Faida recorded significantly higher levels of iron (61.5 mg/kg) and zinc (26.8 mg/kg) content. Faida beans also had significantly (p< 0.05) high levels of phytates (11.70 mg/g) and tannins (4.39 mg CE/g). Phytate to iron ratio for Faida was 17.08 and RM 01 was 15.19 while the phytate-to-zinc ratio was 42.26 and 35.36 for Faida and RM 01 respectively. The RM 01 bean variety had iron bioaccessibility of 35% and zinc bioaccessibility of 65% compared to the Faida bean variety which had bioaccessibility of 29% and 42% for iron and zinc respectively. In conclusion, RM 01 variety is a better source of iron, zinc, and protein compared to the Faida variety.
Evaluation of food quality and stability during storage and processing necessitates understanding the kinetics of food functional property changes and the underlying reactions. In this study, textural stability of beans during storage and subsequent cooking was evaluated through an integrated kinetic approach. Red kidney beans stored for different periods at various conditions of temperature (25 degrees C - 42 degrees C) and moisture content (6.9%-14.5%) relative to their glass transition temperature (T-g) (above and around the T-g) were studied in detail. Consequently, kinetics of softening during subsequent cooking were investigated and the dependence of these rate constants on storage time (representing the hard-to-cook (HTC) development rate) as a function of storage temperature and moisture content was evaluated. All parameters investigated, moisture content, temperature and storage time, had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on the cooking rate of beans. It was revealed that the HTC development rate of beans during storage increases with increase in temperature and moisture content, these parameters showing a synergistic effect. In addition, the rate of HTC development during storage of beans was controlled by the difference between storage temperature and T-g, showing the important role of glass transition in textural stability of beans during storage.
Food fortification is one strategy that has been used to overcome micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations. Maize, a common staple food in Kenya, has been used as a suitable fortification vehicle. However, several factors, including storage conditions, impact micronutrient stability in fortified maize flour.This study aimed to to assess the influence of storage condition on the retention of retinol and B-vitamins in selected commercial fortified maize flour. Fresh samples of fortified maize flours from two brands (coded XX1 and XY2) were sampled from the manufacturers at the point of production. The storage stability of retinol and B-vitamins in the two brands (XX1 and XY2) was monitored for 6 months at 25 °C/ 75 % relative humidity and 35 °C/ 83 % relative humidity. Retinol and thiamine were the least stable vitamins in both flour brands, while riboflavin and folate were relatively stable. Niacin was the most stable vitamin. Retinol was the least stable vitamin for brand XXI at both 25 °C/75% RH and 35 °C/83% RH, followed by thiamine, riboflavin, folate, and niacin. However, brand XY2 showed that under both storage conditions, thiamine was the least stable vitamin, followed by retinol, riboflavin, folate, and niacin. Vitamin retention was higher in samples stored at a lower temperature and relative humidity (25 °C/ 75 % RH) than in samples stored at higher temperature and relative humidity (35 °C/ 83 % RH) for both brands. In conclusion, thiamine and retinol were generally more susceptible to storage losses. Although the vitamin content in the flour samples decreased during storage, the changes in both storage conditions (except for riboflavin) and both brands were not significantly different.
Fruit ripeness detection (FRD) has been a very important research area. FRD has focused more on colour segmentation, image processing, odor of fruits and its size. However, fruit stiffness can be an evidence of its ripening. Developing a sensor that focuses on the stiffness of fruit becomes very important. This work presents an approach of mango ripeness detection based on its stiffness using a tactile sensor. A resistance change-based micro tactile sensor is designed for FRD in which it utilizes two cantilevers with different stiffness to estimate mangoes ripeness levels based on their stiffness. The tactile sensor parameters were analyzed and selected to ensure high sensitivity and linearity of the sensor output (Force ratio). The sensor was developed and experimentally tested with five test pieces of known stiffness for proof-of-concept. A finite element analysis was carried out to test the sensor with the same stiffness values of test pieces to compare the results with the analytical results. The error between the analytical and experimental results of the test pieces did not exceed 7%, while the error between the analytical and simulation results of the stiffness of the test pieces did not exceed 2.7%. Finally, the sensor was tested with five mangoes at different ripeness levels, and the sensor clearly differentiated among the mangoes and obtained stiffness values of 1792.95 N/m, 1395.70 N/m, 1078.86 N/m, 317.15 N/m and 67.81 N/m from the stiffest to the softest mango (Mango A—Mango E), respectively. This tactile sensor can be used in fruit sorting industries to complement the existing fruit sorting approaches.
In this study, the kinetics of phytate (inositol hexaphosphate, InsP(6)) hydrolysis by endogenous phytase in red kidney beans stored at varying conditions of temperature (25-42 degrees C) and moisture content (6.9-14.5%) was determined and the potential role in hard-to-cook (HTC) development was evaluated. In addition, the concept of glass transition temperature (T-g) was assessed and correlated against the rate of phytate hydrolysis. Under the conditions studied, phytate hydrolysis during storage was mainly influenced by storage temperature and time with limited influence of storage moisture content whereby the highest and lowest storage temperatures (42 degrees C and 25 degrees C) resulted in the highest and lowest hydrolysis rates (0.058 +/- 0.003 and 0.003 +/- 0.001 week(-1)). Hydrolysis of phytate resulted in formation of lower inositol phosphates, inositol pentaphosphate (InsP(5)) representing an intermediate whose concentration increased with storage time and temperature. The relationship between the rate of InsP(6) hydrolysis and storage above the overall T-g (T - T-g) was moisture content dependent implying that this difference did not fully explain InsP(6) hydrolysis. Nevertheless, for each moisture content, the rates of InsP(6) hydrolysis during storage were strongly correlated (r > 0.98, p < 0.05) with rates of HTC development signifying that InsP(6) hydrolysis facilitates HTC development in beans.
Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) is a promising indigenous leafy vegetable plant capable of contributing to food security in sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to its adaptability to diverse soils and its drought tolerance. Its edible parts such as leaves are characterized by high nutrient content. Food losses along the supply chain due to spoilage, however, especially of fresh produce is a challenge facing most of the sub-Saharan African countries in tackling food insecurity in the region. This calls for innovative yet inexpensive solutions such as natural fermentation to preserve the quality and safety of the commodity. To demonstrate the feasibility of natural fermentation in the preservation of vegetable amaranth, leaves were submerged (1:0.5 w/v) in distilled water with 3% sucrose and 3% NaCl dissolved. Control batches were prepared using only distilled water (1:0.5 w/v) with amaranth leaves. Samplings of both treated leaves and controls occurred at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 168 h to measure the pH and determine microbial population changes using culture and molecular-based techniques. Furthermore, the effects of treatment on nutritional content were assayed at the end of the process to determine the levels of B-group vitamins, β-carotene, lutein, and anti-nutrient phytic acid from unfermented fresh air-dried and 3% sucrose and 3% NaCl treated amaranth leaves. Finally, a visive and olfactive analysis was carried out to evaluate the acceptability of the final product. The significant drop of pH and the correct growth of Lactobacillaceae occurred only in treated batches, although Lactococcus was found in both treated and control samples. Furthermore, mean counts observed on selective media for controls and molecular high-throughput sequencing (HTS) analyses confirmed that in control samples, the undesired bacteria represented more than 60% of the microbial population. In treated amaranth leaves the amount of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, β-carotene and lutein content were higher compared to the fresh unfermented air-dried leaves, and phytic acid content diminished after 7-days treatment. These findings suggest that treatment of amaranth leaves using 3% sucrose and 3% NaCl does not only preserve the commodity by arresting the growth of undesired microorganisms involved in spoilage and fosters the lactic acid bacteria but also improves the nutritional content of the fermented end product that has been warmly welcomed by panelists.
Long-term use of fresh potatoes is constrained due to post-harvest losses and limited or poor storage systems. Loss of potato quality during storage is mostly due to weight loss, excessive sprouting, decaying, greening, pest attack and changes in sugar content which is a major concern for processors. The storability of three potato varieties namely Shangi, Unica, and Dutch Robijn was evaluated under four storage conditions: (1) room temperature (RT) (21.7 ± 5 °C) and ambient relative humidity (RH) (73.5 ± 6.7%); (2) 10 °C/75% RH; (3) 10 °C/ambient RH and (4) 7 °C/75% RH for 3 months. Parameters analysed included weight loss, sprouting, greening, rotting incidence and changes in simple sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) content. Shangi variety had the poorest storability having exhibited the highest weight loss, sprouting, greening and rotting rates among the varieties and in all storage conditions. In all the varieties, weight loss was highest at room temperature/RH (6.9–35.13%) and lowest at 7 °C/75% RH (1.6–3.7%). Sprouting rate was highest at RT/RH (100%) and lowest at 7 °C/75% RH (2.0–45.2%). Greening incidence was highest at RT/RH (10.3–24.0%) and lowest at 7 °C/75% RH (2.0–16.1%). The tubers accumulated simple sugars during storage with the highest relative accumulation recorded at 7 °C/75% RH. Total reducing sugars increased by 3.8–9.3-fold at RT/RH to 26.0–68.5-fold at 7 °C/75% RH. Low-temperature storage minimized the rate of physical tuber deterioration with 7 °C/75% RH best preserving the potatoes’ physical properties while it led to the highest accumulation of simple sugars.