Inhibition of potato spouting using volatile monoterpenes

• US 5,139,562 A
• Filed: 12/19/1990
• Issued: 08/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Agriculture
• Inventors: Spencer, Gayland F., Vaughn, Steven F., Powell, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond, Richard L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEMBENICK, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/634,853
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 71/65, 71/88, 71/122, 71/123, 71/124
• US Class Current: 504/292
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 31/06 Oxygen or sulfur directly attached to a cycloaliphatic ring system
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 35/06 containing keto or thioketo groups as part of a ring, e.g. cyclohexanone, quinone; Derivatives thereof, e.g. ketals
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 43/22 rings with more than six members
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 65/22 Lamiaceae or Labiatae [Mint family], e.g. thyme, rosemary, skullcap, selfheal, lavender, perilla, pennyroyal, peppermint or spearmint
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 65/28 Myrtaceae [Myrtle family], e.g. teatree or clove
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/154 Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes

Abstract

A method for inhibiting sprouting of tubers including the step of exposing tubers to the oxygenated monoterpenes: cineole, fenchone, menthol, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the tubers are exposed to a composition having an oxygenated monoterpene fraction, and wherein cineole, fenchone, menthol, or a mixture thereof form the major portion of the oxygenated monoterpene fraction.

Claims

1. A method for inhibiting sprouting of potato tubers comprising the step of exposing potato tubers to a composition comprising a sprout inhibiting effective amount of an oxygenated monoterpene fraction, wherein a major portion of said oxygenated monoterpene fraction is selected from the group consisting of cineole, fenchone, menthol, and mixtures thereof.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said composition is a liquid and said step of exposing includes the step of allowing said liquid composition to volatilize into the atmosphere adjacent said tubers.

3. A method as described in claim 2, wherein the concentration of cineole in the atmosphere after volatilization is greater than about 0.1 mg/l.

4. A method as described in claim 3, wherein the concentration of cineole in the atmosphere after volatilization is greater than about 1 mg/l.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said composition is a gas.

6. A method as described in claim 5, wherein said monoterpene fraction includes cineole at a concentration greater than about 0.1 mg/l in said gas.

7. A method as described in claim 6, wherein the concentration of said cineole is greater than about 1 mg/l.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said composition comprises eucalyptus oil.

9. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said major portion of said oxygenated monoterpene fraction is selected from the group consisting of 1,4-cineole and 1,8-cineole.

10. A method as described in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of said oxygenated monoterpene fraction is selected from the group consisting of cineole, fenchone, menthol, and mixtures thereof.

11. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said composition is incorporated into a carrier.

12. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said major portion of said oxygenated monoterpene fraction is menthol in solid phase, and said step of exposing comprises heating said composition at a temperature effective to sublime said menthol into the atmosphere adjacent said tubers, and allowing said menthol to crystallize upon the surfaces of said tubers.

13. A method as described in claim 12, wherein said composition consists essentially of menthol in solid phase.

14. A method for inhibiting sprouting of potato tubers comprising the step of exposing potatoe tubers to an atmosphere comprising a sprout inhibiting effective amount of cineole or fenchone or a mixture thereof at a concentration of at least about 0.1 mg/l.

15. A method as described in claim 14, wherein said concentration is greater than about 1 mg/l.

16. A method as described in claim 14, wherein said cineole is 1,4-cineole or 1,8-cineole.

17. A method as described in claim 14, wherein said step of exposing includes a step of volatilizing a liquid composition comprising cineole or fenchone or a mixture thereof in an amount effective to provide said atmosphere.