Influence of Ascorbic Acid on the Color of Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes

The objective was to evaluate the production yield and influence of the action of ascorbic acid on the color of dehydrated white and purple sweet potatoes produced in a semi-arid region. The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Technology of Products of Plant Origin (TPOV) of the State University of Montes Claros, Janáuba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Sweet potato roots of the cultivars Brazlândia roxa and Brazlândia branco were used. To determine the action of ascorbic acid on the color of dehydrated white and purple sweet potato, a completely randomized design with 4 replications was used. Analysis of variance was performed in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, with two cultivars (Roxa and Branca) and absence and presence of ascorbic acid. The results were submitted to statistical analysis using the Sisvar Software. The average yield of white potato was 23% and purple 18.41%. For the variable of soluble solids, no significant differences were observed between the varieties. The sweet potato cultivar Brazlândia Branca showed better yield when submitted to the drying process. The sweet potato cultivar Brazlândia, when submitted to the dehydration process, presented a more yellowish color, however, with less intense coloration in the presence of ascorbic acid.