Changes of Chemical Composition in Tuberous Root of Yacon by Different Curing Conditions

Tuberous root of yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia Poeppig ＆ Endlicher) has not starch, and its brix degree changes during the curing. Therefore its chemical composition changes were investigated according to different curing conditions. Tuberous root contained 87.1% moisture at harvesting, that was decreased to 84.1-86.0% at 30 days after curing in different curing conditions. Brix degree was increased from 5.7 to 14.2-15.8% at 30 days after curing in comparison to at harvesting. Free sugars were detected from tuberous root in yacon by HPLC; that were fructose, glucose and sucrose. Fructose contents were increased from 0.09 to 1.04-1.79% during 30 days in five curing conditions. Glucose contents were shown to increase from 0.03 to 1.04-1.37 %. Sucrose contents were shown to increase from 0.04 to 0.13-0.43%. Tuberous root contained fructose, glucose and sucrose in order of amount that were highest in single-polyethylene film covered green house. Sucrose was little as comparison with fructose and glucose. Fructose and glucose were increased to 16.7 and 40.7 times, respectively, but sucrose was increased little about 6.8 times.