Comparative Study of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.): Evaluation of Proximate Composition, Polyphenol Content, Mineral and Antioxidant Activities

The objective of the present study was to differentiate and compare the proximate composition, minerals, flesh colour, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activities of varieties of white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP) and potato (WFP) locally grown in Pakistan. The results showed that WFP presented higher moisture and crude fat content, while WFSP offered better ash, crude protein, and crude fibre contents. Colour analysis revealed that WFSP and WFP showed the highest L* (lightness) values and exhibited the maximum total phenolic content and total flavonoids content of 9.27 +/- 0.88 mg GAE/g and 19.01 +/- 0.66 mg QE/g. In vitro, results demonstrated that WFSP possessed better antioxidant activity with the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power of 58.67 +/- 0.22 mM Fe2+/g and DPPH scavenging activity of 39.12 +/- 0.33% compared to WFP. It is concluded that WFSP possesses a better proximate and mineral profile followed by higher antioxidant activity.