Quality Evaluation, Phytochemical Characteristics and Estimation of Beta-Carotene Hydroxylase 2 (Chy2) Alleles of Interspecific Potato Hybrids

Potatoes contain antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids and ascorbic acid. High level consumption worldwide makes potato a valuable source of phytonutrients. Developing new potato varieties with high nutritional value in combination with resistance to pathogens is an important task. In this study, 25 interspecific potato hybrids with resistance to Synchytrium endobioticum, common scab, silver scab, rhizoctonia, nematodes and PVY were evaluated for total phenolics, total flavonoids, total carotenoids, ascorbic acid contents and antioxidant activity. The identification of the dominant allele related with yellow flesh color at the Chy locus was also performed by the specific CAPS marker. Total protein content was detected and ranged from 8.19 ± 0.59 to 30.17 ± 4.56 mg/g dry weight (DW). Total starch and total carbohydrate contents were in the range of 9.0–21.0% and 73.21 ± 20.94–676.36 ± 195.28, respectively. Total phenolic content of hybrids varied from 8.45 to 82.75 mg/100 g, and total flavonoids content—from 0.64 to 9.67 mg/100 g DW. It is possible to distinguish samples with high protein and carbohydrate contents, high level of substances with antioxidant activity and characterized by resistance to pathogens. Quality evaluation has shown that some of the samples have a high potential for processing and chip production in combination with high eating qualities. These samples can be used in breeding programs to develope varieties resistant to pathogens and with high nutritional value.