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Can we just remove the germ by peeling the potato, or should it go straight to the bin or compost?, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Kathryn Renard answers.
Whether they’re the main ingredient in a dish like tartiflette or as an accompaniment to meat or vegetables, potatoes are a staple in the kitchen. However, it’s not uncommon for this tuber to sprout after a while away from the oven. Can we remove that germ? By peeling and eating potatoes or getting rid of them? National Research Institute of Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) Director Catherine Renard answers us.
A toxic compound
A sprouted potato is no longer edible, says Catherine Renard, “It produces solan, a glycoalkaloid, which is a toxic substance.” Its use can cause severe effects such as headache, vomiting, stomach pain or even long-term neurological symptoms.
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Good to know. if potatoes are kept in a place that is too warm and exposed to light, they will grow faster and turn green. Conversely, if they are kept in a place that is too cold, they will convert some of their starch into sugar. “Be careful in this case. will produce acrylamide, a toxic compound called “CMR” – carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction, which is not recommended for use,” adds the research director of INRAE. Therefore, the ideal storage is protected from light, in a dry place , at a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees. At the end, we take care not to store the potatoes with the onions so that they do not sprout or rot.
Source: Le Figaro
