Optimized Prediction of Reducing Sugars and Dry Matter of Potato Frying by FT-NIR Spectroscopy on Peeled Tubers

Dry matter content (DMC) and reducing sugars (glucose, fructose) contents of three potato varieties for frying (Innovator, Lady Claire, and Markies) were determined by applying Fourier-transform near-infrared spectrometry (FT-NIR), with paying particular attention to tubers preparation (unpeeled, peeled, and transversally cut tubers) before spectral acquisitions. Potatoes were subjected to normal storage temperature as it is processed in the industry (8 °C) and lower temperature inducing sugar accumulations (5 °C) for 195 and 48 days, respectively. Prediction of DMC has been successfully modeled for all varieties. A common model to the three varieties reached R², root mean square error (RMSEP), and ratio performance to deviation (RPD) values of 0.84, 1.2, and 2.49. Prediction accuracy of reducing sugars was variety dependent. Reducing sugars were accurately predicted for Innovator (R² = 0.84, RMSEP = 0.097, and RPD = 2.86) and Markies (R² = 0.78, RMSEP = 0.033, and RPD = 2.15) and slightly less accurate for Lady Claire (R² = 0.63, RMSEP = 0.036, and RPD = 1.64). The lack of accuracy obtained with the Lady Claire variety is mainly due to the tight variability in sugar content measured over the storage. Finally, the best preparation of the tuber from the point of view of the accuracy of the prediction models was to use the whole peeled potato. Such preparation allowed for the improvement in RPD values by 15% to 38% the RPD values depending on reducing sugars and 35% for DMC.