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How green is too green?

5 replies

PrettyCandlesAndTinselToo · 21/12/2009 14:27

When it's a potato?

Is it OK to just cut out a green patch?

What about when the potatoes were fine, but after a week or so they start turning a faint chartreuse - are they still OK to use?

And what's the problem with green potatoes, anyway? (All I know is that you mustn't eat green potatoes.)

OP posts:
nickelbabyjesus · 21/12/2009 14:28

no, if it's green at all, don't eat it.
it's got the light and it makes it poisonous.

PrettyCandlesAndTinselToo · 22/12/2009 14:07

What do you mean 'got the light'? They've been kept in a blackout bag, so how could they get light?

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 22/12/2009 16:09

from googling:

Are green potatoes safe to eat ?

Exposure of potato tubers to light either in the field, in storage, on the store shelf, or at home, will induce the formation of a green pigmentation on the surface of the potato. This is called "greening" and indicates the formation of chlorophyll. This pigment is completely safe and is found in all plants, lettuce, spinach etc.

But, in potato tubers, it is like the "canary in the mine shaft." The green indicates an increase in the presence of glycoalkaloids, especially, in potato, the substance "solanine". When the potato greens, solanine increases to potentially dangerous levels. Hence it is advised not to eat the green parts of the potato.

Commercial varieties of potatoes are screened for solanine levels, and most have a solanine content of less than 0.2mg/g. However potatoes that have been exposed to light and started to green can show concentrations of 1mg/g or more. In these situations a single unpeeled potato can result in a dangerous dose.

Increased solanine levels are responsible for the bitter taste in potatoes after being cooked.

Solanine biosynthesis occurs parallel but independent of chlorophyll biosynthesis; each can occur without the other. Unlike chlorophyll, light is not needed for solanine formation but is substantially promoted by it. The formation of solanine in potato is localized to the skin, usually no deeper than 3 mm. In processed potatoes such as chips and fries, there is little hazard since peels are removed.

Source : www.panhandle.unl.edu/potato/index.htm

nickelbabyjesus · 22/12/2009 16:29

ooh.
good information, Seona.

"got the light" meant that they had been exposed to light.
it doesn't necessarily mean where you had them stored, becuase if they're near the top of the soil (or indeed on the soil) while they're growing then they'll go green where they've been exposed.

NotANewbie · 22/12/2009 18:28

I see, thank you.

Shows what you can get when you know how to Google well!

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