They can be seen vying for attention in the local markets, but consumers eye them warily with sellers barely being able to persuade them to change their preference. Scientists, however, are vouching for their nutritive value.

Not that they weren’t sceptical of black potato in the beginning. “They were a surprise for us. The results of their preliminary tests in our laboratories, however, were very encouraging. Black potato was found to be very rich in anthocyanin, calcium, vitamin C, iron, and energy levels as compared to the normal potatoes that we consume every day,” said Dr D B Singh, head, horticulture department, Allahabad Agriculture Institute-Deemed University (AAIDU) to The Indian Express.

After the black potato was sent to the laboratory of Regional Food Research and Analysis Center (RFRAC), Lucknow, its many medicinal qualities were confirmed, said associate professor, AAIDU, Dr Vijay Bahadur Rajwade.

“It is seven times rich in vitamin C than the usual potato, richer in iron content, calories and is a total soluble solid. We also found anthocyanin pigments, which are anti-oxidants and can absorb free radicals, glycosylation, chelation, etc that cause ageing.”

He said “the AAIDU had decided to intensify its research on the black potato”. It will also grow the crop in its farm house for further investigations.

The scientists of AAIDU had never heard of black potato. Nor had the scientists in other parts of the country. “We have contacted many agro scientists in various places, including Chandigarh, Lucknow and Delhi, but they all confirmed to have never seen black potato,” said Dr A K Gupta, head, biochemistry department, AAIDU.

... contd.