While chlorophyll is a harmless chemical, its presence in potatoes indicates that the tubers have also increased their production of a glycoalkaloid known as solanine. Solanine protects potatoes and other plants in the family Solanaceae from herbivory and serves to preserve the sprouting spud from hungry animal mouths.
What is solanine and how does it affect potatoes?
Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison created by various plants in the genus Solanum, such as the potato plant. When the plant's stem, tubers, or leaves are exposed to sunlight, it stimulates the biosynthesis of solanine and other glycoalkaloids as a defense mechanism so it is not eaten.
How do I know if my potatoes have solanine?
But how do you know when solanine is present in a potato? The tuber is turning green. Though the green color that forms on the skin of a potato is actually chlorophyll, which isn't toxic at all (it's the plant's response to light exposure), the presence of chlorophyll indicates concentrations of solanine.
Is solanine destroyed by cooking?
Control. Solanine is not removed by boiling, but it can be destroyed by frying. Solanine poisoning is uncommon as cooks and the public are aware of the problem and tend to avoid green potatoes, in any case, consumption of up to 5 g of green potato per kg body weight per day does not appear to cause acute illness.
How do you remove solanine from potatoes?
CONSTITUTION: Solanin is removed from potatoes by dipping the potatoes in vinegar of 30-60 deg. C, containing 0.3-1.0 vol% of acetic acid, for 2-5 minutes.
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