Effect of Exogenous Amylolytic Enzymes on the Accumulation of Chlorogenic Acid Isomers in Wounded Potato Tubers

Potato tubers under wounding stress synthesize chlorogenic acid isomers, which are phenolic compounds that prevent chronic diseases. The biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in plants requires aromatic amino acids that are produced from sugars. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that the wound-induced accumulation of chlorogenic acid isomers in potatoes could be enhanced if the availability of sugars is increased by exogenous amylolytic enzymes applied to the surface of the site of wounding. To test this hypothesis, wounded potatoes stored at 20 °C were treated with amylolytic enzymes (pullulanase and amyloglucosidase, 282 units/mL, 10 mL/kg) after being stored for 0 (E0h), 48 (E48h), or 96 h (E96h). The highest level of accumulation of total chlorogenic acid isomers (∼210% higher than that of time 0 h samples) was observed after storage for 120 h for the E96h treatment. The results suggest that increasing the availability of carbon sources needed for the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds would trigger their accumulation in wounded plants.