Influence of harvest time on carbohydrates content of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tubers

Abstract

Jerusalem artichoke is promoted as a plant with great potential for use due to its specific chemical composition, having inulin as a reserve carbohydrate, unlike other plants that contain starch. Because the tubers deteriorate very easily during storage, it is recommended that the harvest be carried out according to use. In this work the soluble solids, inulin and reducing sugars content of three Jerusalem artichoke cultivars (Dacic, Rares and Dabuleni) grown at Agricultural Research Development Station Caracal was evaluated at two harvest times (autumn and spring). The obtained results show that the studied chemical indices vary depending on the analyzed cultivar and the stage of plant development. The tubers of the experimented Jerusalem artichoke cultivars present appreciable content of soluble solids and inulin at both harvest times. In all investigated cultivars, tubers harvested in spring have lower content of inulin and soluble solids and higher content of reducing sugars than those harvested in autumn.