USA: Scientists have obtained non-toxic green potatoes

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside (USA) have found a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes and tomatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could reduce food waste and improve crop production in extreme conditions, such as space. This is reported by Science Daily. It is explained that potato plants naturally produce chemicals that protect them from insects. The chemicals, called steroidal glycoalkaloids, or SGAs, are found in large quantities in the green parts of the potato skin and in the places where it sprouts. They make potatoes dangerous to both insects and humans. Sunlight can cause the formation of SGAs in potato tubers — the part of the potato plant that is eaten — even after they have been harvested. By identifying a key genetic mechanism in SGA production, UC Riverside researchers may be able to reduce potato toxicity while preserving the plant’s natural defenses. Removing SGA from potatoes would also make them ...