Can sprouted potatoes be eaten? How to store fresh potatoes without sprouting?

Potatoes, also known as potatoes and sweet potatoes, are rich in starch and are a common plant. When we buy potatoes and don't eat them for a long time, we often find that they have sprouted. It is not recommended to eat sprouted potatoes. Why is that?

Can you eat sprouted potatoes?

It is not recommended to eat sprouted potatoes.

Because sprouted potatoes contain a toxic ingredient called solanine, also known as potato toxin. It is corrosive and hemolytic, and has a paralyzing effect on the motor and respiratory centers. In severe cases, it will cause serious damage to the human body.

Scientific research shows that, generally speaking, under normal circumstances, 100 grams of potatoes contain only 5 to 10 mg of solanine, which is harmless to the human body.

However, once the potatoes sprout or are completely immature, the solanine content will increase several times or even dozens of times. From a biological point of view, this is a weakly alkaline bioglycoside that is soluble in water and easily decomposed by acetic acid. It only begins to degrade at temperatures above 170 degrees.

So, be sure not to eat sprouted potatoes or undercooked potatoes.

How to store fresh potatoes without sprouting

1. Avoid light.

Use black plastic bags, cartons, etc. to create a light-proof environment, and the potatoes will not sprout so quickly. At the same time, it can also solve the problem of the potato skin turning green and feeling numb when eaten, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

2. Dry.

A humid environment is conducive to potato germination, while in a dry environment, the germination rate of potatoes is significantly slowed down. The humidity is about 80%. Above 80%, it is not conducive to potato storage and easy germination; below 80%, the moisture of potatoes evaporates quickly, which is not conducive to storage.

3. Temperature.

The temperature should be controlled above 0 degrees and below 15 degrees, with 5-10 degrees being the most suitable.

For indoor storage, just keep it closed and away from light. It is best to choose a house facing south and cover the potatoes with a layer of soil. For urban residents, it is best to store potatoes in black plastic bags in the refrigerator. If there is a bottom cellar, just store them in the cellar.

Why do potatoes sprout?

The physiological dormancy period of newly harvested potatoes is 2 to 3 months. When their metabolic process weakens and their resistance increases, they will not germinate even if the environmental conditions are suitable. However, after the dormancy period, under suitable conditions, the respiration and hydrolysis of potatoes will be greatly enhanced, and part of the hydrolyzate will be transferred to the growth point and consumed during the germination and growth process. So they will begin to germinate.