What happens to the starch in a potato when it is getting old? Is there an odour?

If a potato begins to deteriorate, the roots themselves can develop an odour and  these should not be used. If stored, potatoes can be processed into starch even if they are a few months old – which is no age for a potato that is stored in a cool, dark place.

Moreover, odourless starches can be produced by washing them with water, which removes all odours during the process. Laboratory tests are used to verify the cleaning and make sure the starch does not have any odour.