Sweet potato bioactives: A comprehensive exploration of physiological functions and multidisciplinary applications

Introduction

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is recognized as one of the most extensively studied members of the Convolvulaceae family [1] . Originating from Central America, it is now the seventh most important food crop globally [2] . Sweet potatoes are a cornerstone crop in warm climates due to their minimal resource demands and rapid maturation cycles [3] . Cultivars vary by skin and flesh color, with orange-fleshed varieties rich in carotenoids and purple-fleshed varieties rich in anthocyanins [4,5] . The roots, leaves, and stems contain phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as well as essential nutrients. Starch accounts for 80% of dry matter [6] . Purple-fleshed cultivars are rich in acylated anthocyanins with antioxidative properties [7] . Leaves contain polyphenols at levels 7-9 times higher than grape seeds (Table 1) [8] . Due to their nutritional value, sweet potato consumption is increasing globally [9] . Reported biological activities include antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic effects [10] . Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes address vitamin A deficiency [2] , while purple varieties show neuroprotective effects [11,12] . This article reviews the physiological functions and applications of sweet potatoes.

Physiological functions

Sweet potato extracts demonstrate antioxidant capacity correlated with phenolic content, with flavonoids and anthocyanins contributing to oxidative stress mitigation through pathways including AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α [13][14][15][16] . The extracts display antibacterial activity against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli through disruption of cell division and membrane integrity [17,18] . Anti-inflammatory effects involve suppression of proinflammatory mediators including IL-1β, IL-6, and nitric oxide [19][20][21] . For metabolic disorders, Caiapo tablets (white sweet potato extract) reduce HbA1c and improve insulin sensitivity [22] . Purple sweet potato anthocyanins regulate glycemic control, while leaf extracts reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic models through inhibition of αglucosidase and α-amylase [23][24][25][26] . Anticancer activity is demonstrated through daucosterol compounds inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation and anthocyanins inducing apoptosis in various cancer cell lines [27][28][29] .

Antihepatic effects include protection against chemicalinduced hepatotoxicity through reduction of oxidative damage and inhibition of hepatic stellate cell proliferation [30][31][32] . Anti-aging properties are evidenced by improved cognitive function in aging mouse models through reduced oxidative stress [33,34] . Sweet potato dietary fiber promotes probiotic growth while suppressing pathogens, showing prebiotic effects comparable to fructooligosaccharides [35][36][37] . Cardiovascular benefits include reduced systolic blood pressure through ACE inhibition, elevated HDL-C levels, reduced atherogenic lipid ratios, and decreased aortic plaque coverage [38][39][40][41][42] .

Applications

Sweet potatoes are utilized across multiple sectors. In the food industry, they can be directly consumed or processed into starch products including vermicelli, as well as syrup, jam, vinegar, and soy sauce. Anthocyanin-rich extracts are used in health products, while β-carotene-rich varieties are used in infant foods [43,44] . In pharmaceutical applications, anthocyanins are used in cardiovascular health products. Dietary fiber promotes intestinal probiotic proliferation and activates AMPK/SIRT1 to reduce lead-induced kidney damage. β-carotene from orange-fleshed sweet potato addresses vitamin A deficiency, particularly in Africa [45][46][47][48] .

In agriculture, tubers, leaves, and residues serve as livestock feed and silage. Sweet potato rotation with corn or soybean improves soil structure and fertility. For environmental protection, sweet potato starch can be fermented to produce bioethanol and used to manufacture biodegradable packaging materials [49,50] .

Discussion

Anthocyanin and carotenoid content correlates with antioxidant capacity, with extracts regulating AMPK/SIRT1 and Nrf2 pathways. Human studies remain limited, requiring further clinical validation [7,11,38] . Sweet potato extracts show hypoglycemic effects comparable to pharmaceuticals with fewer adverse effects, though longterm safety studies are lacking. Phytosterols and anthocyanins demonstrate anticancer potential, though bioavailability concerns remain [22,26,27,28] . Prebiotic properties promote probiotic growth, while antihypertensive and lipid-modulating effects are documented, though sustained dietary intake is necessary [35,38,39] . Sweet potato byproducts can produce bioethanol and biodegradable polymers, though scaling requires technological innovation [49,50]. Most research is preclinical with limited human trials. Standardization is challenged by cultivar variability. Future research should focus on clinical trials, bioavailability optimization, sustainable practices, and cultivar development.

Conclusion

Sweet potato bioactives can address nutritional and medicinal needs while supporting sustainability. Addressing standardization and translational research challenges will maximize their global impact.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by A Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).

References

1. Srisuwan S, Sihachakr D, Martín J, et al. Change in nuclear DNA content and pollen size with polyploidisation in the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae) complex. Plant Biology. 2019;21(2):237-247.
2. Neela S, Fanta SW. Review on nutritional composition of orange-fleshed sweet potato and its role in management of vitamin A deficiency. Food Science & Nutrition. 2019;7(6):1920-1945.
3. Laurie SM, Faber M, Claasen N. Incorporating orangefleshed sweet potato into the food system as a strategy for improved nutrition: The context of South Africa. Food Research International. 2018;104:77-85.
4. Alam MK, Rana ZH, Islam SN. Comparison of the proximate composition, total carotenoids and total polyphenol content of nine orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties grown in Bangladesh. Foods. 2016;5(3):64.
5. Obomeghei AA, Olapade AA, Akinoso R. Evaluation of the chemical composition, functional and pasting properties of four varieties of Nigerian sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.)] flour. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. 2020;20(3):15764-15778.
6. Wang S, Zhu F. Antidiabetic dietary materials and animal models. Food Research International. 2016;85:315-331.
7. Grace MH, Yousef GG, Gustafson SJ, et al. Phytochemical changes in phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids associated with International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science https://www.agriculturaljournals.com sweetpotato storage and impacts on bioactive properties. Food Chemistry. 2014;145:717-724.
8. Xi L, Mu T, Sun H. Preparative purification of polyphenols from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves by AB-8 macroporous resins. Food Chemistry. 2015;172:166-174.
9. Leocádio PCL, Lopes SC, Dias RP, et al. The transition from undernutrition to overnutrition under adverse environments and poverty: the risk for chronic diseases. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021;8:676044.
10. Panda V, Sonkamble M. Phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Ipomoea batatas L.(Lam)--A review. International Journal of Research in Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. 2012;2(1):25-34.
11. Lu J, Wu DM, Zheng YL, et al. Purple sweet potato color attenuates domoic acid-induced cognitive deficits by promoting estrogen receptor-α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis signaling in mice. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2012;52(3):646-659.
12. Zhuang J, Lu J, Wang X, et al. Purple sweet potato color protects against high-fat diet-induced cognitive deficits through AMPK-mediated autophagy in mouse hippocampus. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2019;65:35-45.
13. Trifonova D, Gavrilova A, Dyakova G, et al. Preliminary in vitro study of anti-oxidant activity and anti-diabetic potential of plant extracts from 4 herbal substances not traditionally used for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Pharmacia. 2021;68:755-762.
14. Savych A, Marchyshyn S, Polonets O, et al. HPLCDAD assay of flavonoids and evaluation of antioxidant activity of some herbal mixtures. Pharmacia. 2022;69:873-881.
15. Zhou L, Zhang C, Qiang Y, et al. Anthocyanin from purple sweet potato attenuates lead-induced reproductive toxicity mediated by JNK signaling pathway in male mice. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2021;224:112683.
16. Zhang Y, Gu W, Duan L, et al. Protective effect of dietary fiber from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) against lead-induced renal injury by inhibiting oxidative stress via AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling pathways. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2018;42(3): e12513.
17. Obum-Nnadi CN, Amaechi D, Ezenwa CM, et al. Antibacterial, phytochemical analysis and blood pressure lowering effects of orange flesh sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.). Current Research in Interdisciplinary Studies. 2022;1(1):9-21.
18. Tagousop CN, Tamokou JDD, Ekom SE, et al. Antimicrobial activities of flavonoid glycosides from Graptophyllum grandulosum and their mechanism of antibacterial action. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;18:1-10.
19. Majid M, Nasir B, Zahra SS, et al. Ipomoea batatas L. Lam. ameliorates acute and chronic inflammations by suppressing inflammatory mediators, a comprehensive exploration using in vitro and in vivo models. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;18:120.
20. Artini IGA, Indrayani AW, Artana GNB, et al. The activity of purple sweet potato extract on antituberculosis-induced liver toxicity. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2022;10(A):1017-1022.
21. Zhang Y, Sun J, Zhao L, et al. Protective Effect of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Leaf Phenolic Acids Extract on IL-1β-Induced Barrier Injury of Caco-2 Monolayers. Processes. 2022;10(11):2211.
22. Ludvik BH, Mahdjoobian K, Waldhaeusl W, et al. The effect of Ipomoea batatas (Caiapo) on glucose metabolism and serum cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized study. Diabetes Care. 2002;25(1):239.
23. Mahadita GW, Jawi M, Suastika K. Purple sweet potato tuber extract lowers mallondialdehyde and improves glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Global Advanced Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences. 2016;5(7):208-213.
24. Novrial D, Soebowo S, Widjojo P. Protective effect of Ipomoea batatas L leaves extract on histology of pancreatic langerhans islet and beta cell insulin expression of rats induced by streptozotocin. Molekul. 2020;15(1):48-55.
25. Luo D, Mu T, Sun H. Profiling of phenolic acids and flavonoids in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves and evaluation of their anti-oxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Food Bioscience. 2021;39:100801.
26. Jang HH, Kim HW, Kim SY, et al. in vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic effects of cyanidin 3-caffeoyl phydroxybenzoylsophoroside-5-glucoside, an anthocyanin isolated from purple-fleshed sweet potato. Food Chemistry. 2019;272:688-693.
27. Jiang P, Han B, Jiang L, et al. Simultaneous separation and quantitation of three phytosterols from the sweet potato, and determination of their anti-breast cancer activity. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2019;174:718-727.
28. Vishnu VR, Renjith RS, Mukherjee A, et al. Comparative study on the chemical structure and in vitro antiproliferative activity of anthocyanins in purple root tubers and leaves of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2019;67(9):2467-2475.
29. Asadi K, Ferguson LR, Philpott M, et al. Cancerpreventive properties of an anthocyanin-enriched sweet potato in the APCMIN mouse model. Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2017;22(3):135.
30. Wang W, Li J, Wang Z, et al. Oral hepatoprotective ability evaluation of purple sweet potato anthocyanins on acute and chronic chemical liver injuries. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2014;69:539-548.
31. Hwang YP, Choi JH, Choi JM, et al. Protective mechanisms of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced hepatotoxicity. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2011;49(9):2081-2089.
32. Choi JH, Hwang YP, Park BH, et al. Anthocyanins isolated from the purple-fleshed sweet potato attenuate the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by blocking the PDGF receptor. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2011;31(1):212-219.
33. Lu J, Wu DM, Zheng YL, et al. Purple sweet potato color alleviates d-galactose-induced brain aging in old mice by promoting survival of neurons via PI3K pathway and inhibiting cytochrome c-mediated apoptosis. Brain Pathology. 2010;20(3):598-612.
34. Zhao JG, Yan QQ, Lu LZ, et al. in vivo antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and anti-tumor activities of anthocyanin International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science https://www.agriculturaljournals.com extracts from purple sweet potato. Nutrition Research and Practice. 2013;7(5):359-365.
35. De Albuquerque TMR, Borges CWP, Cavalcanti MT, et al. Potential prebiotic properties of flours from different varieties of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) roots cultivated in Northeastern Brazil. Food Bioscience. 2020;36:100614.
36. Sun H, Zhang P, Zhu Y, et al. Antioxidant and prebiotic activity of five peonidin-based anthocyanins extracted from purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.). Scientific Reports. 2018;8(1):5018.
37. Lestari LA, Soesatyo MHNE, Iravati S, et al. Characterization of Bestak sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) variety from Indonesian origin as prebiotic. International Food Research Journal. 2013;20(5).
38. Oki T, Kano M, Watanabe O, et al. Effect of consuming a purple-fleshed sweet potato beverage on health-related biomarkers and safety parameters in Caucasian subjects with elevated levels of blood pressure and liver function biomarkers. Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health. 2016;35(3):129-136.
39. Kan J, Shi H, Liu X, et al. Hypolipidemic effect of proteoglycans isolated from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas LAM) in hyperlipidemia rats. Food Science and Biotechnology. 2014;23:2021-2028.
40. Wu CY, Lin KW. The antioxidative characteristics of taro and sweet potato protein hydrolysates and their inhibitory capability on angiotensin converting enzyme. Food Science and Technology Research. 2017;23(6):845-853.
41. Ntchapda F, Tchatchouang FC, Miaffo D, et al. Hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic effects of aqueous extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves in dietinduced hypercholesterolemic rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2021;19(3):243-250.
42. Sun J, Wang Z, Chen L, et al. Hypolipidemic effects and preliminary mechanism of chrysanthemum flavonoids, its main components luteolin and luteoloside in hyperlipidemia rats. Antioxidants. 2021;10(8):1309.
43. Wu ZZ, Li GF, Wu Y, et al. Research and application of pure natural sweet potato vermicelli processing technology. 2014.
44. Shang LJ. Application of sweet potato in seasoning processing. Agricultural Products Processing. 2013;(04):28-29.
45. Qin QJ, Zhang ZW, Peng XM. Research progress on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases by proanthocyanidins. Modern Medical and Health. 2021;(01):72-75.
46. Wang DM, Wang JL, Sun N, et al. Nutritional components and developmental utilization of purple sweet potato. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Science. 2014;20:6762-6763.
47. Liu DY, Yu J. Mechanism of chronic lead intoxicationinduced renal injury in male mice: Based on the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Environmental and Occupational Medicine. 2020;37(06):616-621.
48. Girard AW, Brouwer A, Faerber E, et al. Orangefleshed sweetpotato: Strategies and lessons learned for achieving food security and health at scale in SubSaharan Africa. Open Agriculture. 2021;6(1):511-536.
49. Gou C, Wang X, Yu Y, et al. One-step enzymatic hydrolysis of sweet potato residue after gelatinization for bioethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 2024;14(14):15853-15862.
50. Otero-Herrera A, Fuentes-Gaviria L, Pérez-Cervera C, et al. Development of edible films based on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) starch and their application in candy packaging. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2025;140031.