Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Flakes, flours, granules of various sizes, shreds,
noodles, slices, and more, are possible to manu-
facture through the dehydration process. Once
processed, dehydrated potatoes typically enjoy a
shelf life of
18-
24 months, if stored in airtight
packaging (USPB, 2012c).
Potato flour has gained favor in the market-
place for its ability to extend foods and to en-
hance the nutritional properties of breads,
soups, and other food products (USPB, 2012c).
Items made with potato flour are gluten-free,
though potato flour is frequently combined with
other flours when used in baked goods. At Pass-
over, when grains are not eaten, potato flour is
an important substitute for wheat flours. Potato
flour can also be used as a thickener when added
to sauces and soups.
USDA-ERS reported in 2010, 1.7 Mt
(34.1 million cwt) of fresh potatoes were dehy-
drated in US processing facilities. These facilities
provide a diversity of products that include po-
tato pancake mix, specific types of potato chips,
mashed potatoes, and some canned soup prod-
ucts (USDA-ERS, 2011).
and dried, ultimately creating a powdered starch
(Bayer Crop Science, 2008). On average, pota-
toes contain about 20% starch by volume (Bayer
Crop Science, 2008). The minimal presence of
fat and protein, 2% and 1%, respectively, results
in starch that is white in color, neutral in taste,
has good clarity, demonstrates a high binding
strength, and is not prone to foaming during the
cooking process (Bayer Crop Science, 2008).
High moisture retention, a lack of gluten, and
high phosphorous content, which enhances the
viscosity of liquids augmented with potato
starch, are additional appealing aspects.
In March 2010, the Amflora potato, a gen-
etically modified (GM) potato, was cultivated in
Europe (BASF, 2010). The GM variety has a
modified starch composition that improves its
suitability for industrial applications. A lack of
political and public support is a likely reason
why the variety's developer, BASF Plant Science,
stopped marketing the Amflora potato in Euro-
pean markets in January 2012.
Seed
The seed potato market is vitally important. Re-
planting a portion of the crop each year with
certified seed and seed from improved varieties
helps to minimize the risk of disease contamin-
ation, as well as helping to preserve yields (FAO,
2008e; CIP, 2012c). Potatoes are typically
reproduced through vegetative propagation,
a form of asexual reproduction in plants. CIP
estimates that
5-
15% of each year's harvested
potato crop (depending on quality) is saved for
the purpose of planting the next season. Small
sections of the saved tubers are planted once
they have sprouted, and the cycle continues
(CIP, 2012c). Farmers in developing countries
are less likely to invest in sourcing certified seed
potatoes than producers in developed countries
(CIP, 2012c). As such, production in developing
countries may be more susceptible to disease
and yield loss.
Starch
Potatoes provide food for human consumption,
but many varieties also produce high levels of
starch that can be removed through an extrac-
tion process and used as a component in indus-
trial and pharmaceutical products (Bayer Crop
Science, 2008). Fresh potatoes can be used in
starch production, though starch may also be
extracted from the peelings and other potato
waste generated from the processing of other po-
tato products. Once the raw material is gathered
from fresh potatoes or waste, the starch is ex-
tracted and manufactured into one of seven
common starch products: paper and cardboard
manufacturing; biotechnological raw materials
or substrate; textiles; pastes, glues, and gums;
pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; detergents; and
biologically degradable materials (Bayer Crop
Science, 2008).
To extract starch from potatoes, the pota-
toes must first be crushed. Crushing the potato
damages individual cell walls, creating a slurry
of both liquid and starch cell contents. Starch
grains, also called leucoplasts, are then rinsed
Other and industrial
The remaining category of potato products in-
cludes minor products such as livestock feed,
