Contact
Ólafur Reykdal
Project Manager
olafur.reykdal@matis.is
At Matís, various researches are underway on vegetables for a grant from the Food Fund. The research aims to increase the quality and shelf life of vegetables but also to reduce waste in the value chain from harvest to consumer and find new ways to increase the value of by-products in the vegetable sector.
Recently completed a project that started in 2020 and dealt with the antioxidant activity and quality of vegetables. Antioxidant activity refers to the activity of antioxidants which are among the important substances in vegetables. Antioxidants are substances that provide the body with protection against the harmful effects of substances that promote oxidation. The health benefits have been attributed to the consumption of antioxidant vegetables.
Antioxidant activity was found in all vegetable samples but varied by species. Significant antioxidant activity in potatoes came as a surprise as antioxidants are often associated with colorful vegetables.
Cauliflower and broccoli, along with potatoes, were among the vegetables that scored the highest for antioxidant activity.
The healthiness of potatoes may be underestimated, but they are often not included in the healthiest vegetables. Potatoes contain important nutrients such as vitamins and a considerable amount of starch, which makes potatoes more energetic than most other vegetables. The results of the project have been published and can be accessed here: https://matis.is/skyrsla/gaedi-og-andoxunarvirkni-graenmetis-a-markadi-2020-21/ . New results can be expected for vegetables in the coming months, including potatoes.