Evaluation of Amylose/Amylopectin, Dietary Fiber, Sugar and Vitamin C in Two Processed and Unprocessed Hydroponic Sweetpotato Cultivars

Spaceflight introduces the human body to extremes not normally experienced in daily life to supplement the body's natural protections for some of the negative effects; important nutrients must be included in an astronaut's diet. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate chemical properties (amylose/amylopectin, dietary fiber, sugars and vitamin C) in two processed and unprocessed hydroponic sweetpotato cultivars. In both cultivars dietary fiber ranged from 0.4% to 3%. Amylose/Amylopectin ratio in both cultivars ranged from 1/99% to 14/86%. Glucose and sucrose were the dominant sugars in both cultivars. Vitamin C was reduced 35-50% when processed.