Nutrition value of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) cultivated in south – eastern Polish conditions

Abstract Studies were conducted in the years 2009−2011 on a brown soil, wheat faulty complex (Poland, Podkarpackie Voivodeship). The experiment was carried out using the randomized blocks method in 3 replications. Three cultivars of sweet potato were studied: Carmen Rubin, Goldstar and White Triumph with a different morphological and physiological type. Contents of dry matter, carbohydrates, protein, vitamin C, ascorbic acid and macronutrients in tubers were determined using standard methods. White Triumph cultivar with white skin and flesh is characterized by a significantly higher content of starch, sugars, proteins, vitamin C, ascorbic acid as well as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in comparison with cultivars (Goldstar and Carmen Rubin) with coloured skin and flesh. The biological value of sweet potato tubers is high. The content of nutrients in sweet potatoes' tubers is discussed in terms of their nutritional utility. Sweet potatoes can help reducing nutritional problems and can be especially recommended for diabetics.