Are Sprouted Potatoes Still Edible?

I read that sprouted potatoes should be thrown away (probably because of the solanine). Does that include the little knobs? They grow after 3 days from purchase. I prefer to store them in the fridge and use them within two weeks.

Green and strongly sprouting potatoes should be sorted out and not eaten. The reason for this is the increasing content of solanine in such tubers. Solanine is a slightly bitter-tasting substance produced in some nightshade plants, such as potatoes and tomatoes. It is found in increased amounts in green-colored potatoes and in the sprouting area. The skin of the potato tuber also contains more solanine, as the plant uses it as a defense against predators. Depending on the amount consumed, it can lead to mild symptoms of poisoning (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea) to severe symptoms of poisoning (impaired consciousness, breathing and circulatory disorders).

At the beginning of germination, when the germ is about 1 cm long, the solanine content in the tuber changes only slightly. The longer the germ becomes, the higher the solanine content increases. Strongly sprouted tubers with long sprouts (more than 10 cm in length) show not only increased amounts of solanine but also significant losses of ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and protein. For these reasons, these tubers with a seed length of more than 10 cm are no longer suitable for consumption. The same applies to very green tubers that have been exposed to too much light.

Before table potatoes are transported to the supermarket, they are stored in mostly fully air-conditioned warehouses. At temperatures between seven and ten degrees Celsius, the quality of the potatoes is largely retained and germination is prevented.

Tips for proper storage of potatoes at home:

• Store potatoes as cool as possible (below 15 °C), dry and dark. Below 4 °C, however, the starch contained is converted into sugar and the potatoes taste sweet.
• Potatoes should not be stored in a foil bag. Moisture can build up in it and this can lead to mold growth.
• If there is no cool storage room, it makes sense to buy smaller quantities of potatoes that can be used up quickly.