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The sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. LAM.) is a versatile and underexploited food crop. Consumption of sweetpotato based processed foods provide β-carotene, which is the major precursor of vitamin A. The sweetpotato has the potential to provide antioxidants that may help reduce the radiation risks astronauts face while in space. Therefore the objective of this experiment was to evaluate β-carotene in dehydrated hydroponic sweetpotato cultivars. Hydroponic cultivars WHATLEY/LORETAN and NCC-58 were grown with and without 7-10 μmole of light. WHATLEY/LORETAN contained the highest amount of β-carotene content average of 31 μg/100g in dehydrated hydroponic sweetpotatoes compared to NCC-58 with 18.5 μg/100g.

This study evaluated three groups of four hydroponic carrots grown in different lighting and CO2 levels. Moisture, β-carotene, ash, color, texture and consumer acceptance were assessed. For Group I, II and III, moisture content ranges were 81.9-92.4%, 81.9-91.2%, 85.4-89.2%, respectively. β-Carotene content ranged from 3295-10486, 3978-14664, and 5802-21360 μg/100 g for Group I, II and III, respectively. Ash ranged from 0.5 to 1.7%. Color L* value range was 53.7-62.2. Consumers moderately liked the color and slightly liked the crunchiness of the carrots tested. Carrots under low light generally had higher moisture content. However, the other measures were variable.

This study determined volatile emission from model sweetpotato products using different evaluation methods. Sublimation method and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) coupled to Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) were used to assess the volatiles from a Ready-to-eat-breakfast cereal (RTEBC). TGA/FTIR, and Solid-Phase Microextraction Method (SPME) and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to characterize volatiles in sweetpotato breads (SPB). FTIR peaks at 3500 (alcohols), 2400 (carbon dioxide), and 1900 (ketones) were identified in the RTEBC. For SPME/GC-MS measures, Dimethyl Phthalate (33±0.51), Phenol (39±0.52) and Diazene (48±0.280) were observed in doughs made using different cultivars.

The objectives of this study were: 1) to isolate starch and process flour from three cultivars of sweetpotatoes, and determine their proximate composition, particle size and crystallinity; and 2) to rank selected appearance, texture and flavor attributes of the sweetpotato cultivars. The mean moisture contents of the starches ranged from 4.4±0.2 to 6.0±0.3%, while color values ranged from 80.9±0.8 to 86.9±0.4. Flours had moisture contents of 3.9±0.1 to 4.3±0.2, and L* values ranged from 82.8±0.2 to 85.0±0.03. The starch granules appeared to be round or oval with characteristic dimensions in the range of 2.6–36.0μm. Consumers ranked the J6/66 as significantly least preferred (p<0.05) than the other two cultivars.

An automated Data Acquisition System (DAS) for managing and controlling an aerobic biodegradation process of solid biomass has been developed. The system employs a personal computer equipped with a data acquisition card and a visual basic software (LabVIEW). The DAS was integrated with the physical / chemical hardware (a bioreactor with its auxiliary equipment) through the necessary sensing devices. These sensing devices include in-line electrical-conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature probes. A flow sensor was inserted in the circulating sampling line to ensure that the in-line manifold does not contain air bubbles or clogged with fine particles. A gas analyzer was used to sample off-gases from the bioreactor to measure and record the change in the CO2 and O2 levels. The data acquisition system is capable of controlling the pH level inside the bioreactor by activating acid or base metering pumps.