Why do Russians eat potatoes without the skin? ARSENIC
pscotto at MTHOLYOKE.EDU
pscotto at MTHOLYOKE.EDU
Mon Feb 8 16:51:05 UTC 2010
Wait one darn minute. Solanine is a poison! So there!
From Wiki:
Commercial varieties of potatoes are screened for solanine
levels[where?], and most have a solanine content of less than 0.2 mg/g.
-->However, potatoes that have been exposed to light and started to
green can show concentrations of 1 mg/g or more. In these situations a
single unpeeled potato can result in a dangerous dose.<--
> pscotto at MTHOLYOKE.EDU wrote:
>
>> There is a very good reason for not eating potatoes with their
>> skins, especially potatoes that have been held in long-term storage
>> in less than optimal conditions (like a home root cellar in your
>> village or at your dacha).
>>
>> Potatoes held under these conditions will develop a greenish cast in
>> the skins and right underneath it.
>>
>> That green is an arsenic compound.
>
> According to this expert, you're mistaken:
>
> <http://oregonstate.edu/potatoes/storproc.htm>
> Temperature, humidity, and air movement are the most important
> environmental factors affecting storability. Temperature requirements
> are determined by the intended use of the potatoes. Tubers should
> always be kept in the dark since very small amounts of light will
> gradually cause greening. Lights should not be used more than
> absolutely necessary. Surface greening is due to chlorophyll
> formation and is harmless. However, its presence in potatoes is
> undesirable because of marketing restrictions and the fact that at
> times an alkaloid called solanine increases with the chlorophyll.
> Solanine and other glycoalkaloids cause potatoes to have a bitter,
> undesirable flavor. Greening develops slowly in the light at 40°F
> [4.4°C] or below but develops rapidly at 68°F [20°C].
> [end quote]
>
> The solanine and other glycoalkaloids mentioned above are toxic, but
> contain no arsenic:
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine>
>
>
> --
> War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
> --
> Paul B. Gallagher
> pbg translations, inc.
> "Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
> http://pbg-translations.com
>
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