Why do potatos go green, how do you stop this?
2006-08-30 03:51:03 · 7 answers · asked by zzz 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
Actually the green on a potato can be toxic.
"Of itself, chlorophyll is not a health concern, it is harmless and tasteless. 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" (see structure). When the potato greens, solanine increases to potentially dangerous levels. 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 an eight of an inch (3 mm). In processed potatoes such as chips and fries, there is little hazard since peels are removed. It also needs to be strongly emphasized that potato breeding programs have resulted in the commercial release of only potato lines with very low levels of solanine.
[It also needs to be noted that all members of the botanical family Solanaceae produce glycoalkaloid toxins, not just potato. Two common examples are tomatine from tomato and nicotine from tobacco. Some members of this family are historically notorious such as belladonna and deadly nightshade.] "
2006-08-30 04:10:32 · answer #1 · answered by el 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Green potatoes are a result of sun-burn. When the potato plants start to bloom, that's the time to "Hill" them. With a hoe, scrape soil from the furrows and make a mound around each plant, and you shouldn't have any more green potatoes.
2006-08-30 10:58:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Potatoes do not 'go' green, but if you buy them green, then they are not yet ripe. I suggest you pass over the green ones, they are going to be a bit on the bitter side.
2006-08-30 10:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by Chef Bob 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The potatoes get sun-burned if they grow too close to the surface. If you are buying them like that, it's already done. If you are storing them in the sun, put them in a dark, cool place. If you are growing them, cover them deeper with soil or straw.
2006-08-30 11:00:01 · answer #4 · answered by student 8 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if u bought them and they are green, that means that they are ripe yet, and need to be ripened
2006-08-30 10:56:55 · answer #5 · answered by bleh 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that is just potato sunburn.
do not worry.
2006-08-30 10:53:59 · answer #6 · answered by ohno 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that is not bad..
2006-08-30 10:58:50 · answer #7 · answered by nickless 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋