The Inhibitority Effect of Eucalyptus and Lavender Extract on Potato Sprouting

Sprouting is responsible for about 12 to 15 percent of the potato waste storage. Despite of effective existing methods, such as the use of chloropropham to control potatoes sprouting, the emergence of harmful aspects due to application of this chemical preservative, and growing interests of consumers towards healthy foods, persuade us to use natural compounds to inhibit potato sprouting. In response to this need, Eucalyptus and Lavender extracts with different levels of concentrations, 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 g / L, were used each month to control sprouting (germination) of storage potatoes, Agria germin, for 6 months. A group of tubers were only treated by 37g chlorpropham (5 purity). Data were analyzed by completely randomized design with 3 replications and factorial experiment at 5% statistical level. Results showed that with increasing the concentration of extracts from 0.5 g/l to 2 g/l, potato sprouting was controlled more effectively and significantly. Further increase in concentration of extracts did not have any effect. Usage of these extracts at concentration of 0.5 g/l stimulated the tuber sprouting compared to the control. Using a concentration of 2 g / l of Eucalyptus and Lavender extract, germination of the tubers decreased 64 and 82 percent respectively, and also total weight of the sprouts declined 79 and 86 percent, respectively. The best effect was achieved by 2 g/l combination extract of Eucalyptus and Lavender which showed more than 90 percent reduction in tubers sprouting. Organoleptic evaluation of the boiled and fried potatoes, treated with chlorpropham (CIPC) or the combined extract of Eucalyptus and lavender, did not showed significant differences, but both of them, received more points compared to the control tubers.