Micronutrient Foliar Fertilization for the Biofortification of Raw and Minimally Processed Early Potatoes

Agronomic fortification with microelement as well as macronutrients has been used inrecent years with increasing frequency to improve the nutritional quality of plant products for humanconsumption. Here the influence of pre-harvest foliar micronutrients fertilization (Micro+) includingB, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn compared to control (Micro-) on mineral profiles of raw and minimallyprocessed potatoes of cv. Bellini was investigated. The mineral profile was analyzed on raw tubers atharvest and on minimally processed potatoes after 0 and 12 days of storage at 4 ± 1oC. Preliminaryresults showed that micronutrients fertilization improved mineral composition of raw potatoes,through an increase in tuber concentrations of Fe (+70%) and Zn (+27%), but also of N (+23%),and Mn (+18%). The increased concentrations of minerals in micro-fertilized raw potatoes led to abetter concentration in micro-fertilized minimally processed potatoes, even if some minerals werelost in processing, presumably due to skin removal. The reduction was particularly evident in bothMicro- and Micro+ samples for Fe (-29%) and Ca (-17%). However foliar micronutrient fertilizationmarkedly improved the Fe and Zn contribution that a 200 g serving of potatoes can give to currentrecommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) both in raw and minimally processed potatoes. Storage for 12days did not alter the mineral profile of the tubers. Observations of the mineral profiles of the studiedsamples suggest that the application of foliar microelement-containing solutions was able to fortifyboth raw and minimally processed potatoes.