® Fruit, Vegetable and Cereal Science and Biotechnology ©2012 Global Science Books Food Uses and Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Potato G. Padmaja* • Jaffer T. Sheriff • Moothandassery S. Sajeev Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram-695017, India Corresponding author : *
[email protected] ABSTRACT Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) has high ability to convert solar energy in to carbohydrates and store it in the bulky roots that are recognised as one of the energy godowns of nature. Sweet potato is next to cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in acreage, widespread cultivation, diversified uses etc., among the tuber crops in the world. With rapidly changing lifestyle and urbanization, the significance of sweet potato as a food is getting diminished. Nevertheless, its importance as a health food is being increasingly realised now. A number of novel food products with functional value are being developed worldwide. Sweet potato tubers with their low glycaemic index have additional value as a food for diabetics. There are a range of primary food products that could be made from sweet potato like chips, flakes, frozen products, French fries, puree, etc., while it is also the raw materials for a host of secondary products like noodles, sugar syrups, alcohol, pasta etc. The potential of sweet potato as a promising food crop is discussed. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: chips, canning, frying, noodles, pasta Abbreviations: DSF, defatted