this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2026
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[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 16 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (4 children)

It's actually potato starch.

Sawdust isn't just cellulose. Wood is a matrix of cellulose fibers bound together by a tougher compound called lignin. While lignin isn't particularly toxic, you wouldn't want to eat it.

Fun fact, a lot of the process of making paper is for removing the lignin, only the cellulose is useful for making paper. And grasses like bamboo have a higher ratio of cellulose to lignin, so it's better for making paper

[–] RamenJunkie@midwest.social 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Its not always potato starch though.

I mostly know this because my daughter is allergic to potatos so we have to only get certain brands of cheese.

[–] W3dd1e@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

This might be the worse allergy I can think of. I didn’t know anyone had this allergy. I am so very sorry to hear this.

[–] RamenJunkie@midwest.social 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh its been worse. But at the moment its become down to potato and lettuce. Its all part of her Mastcell related to EDS. Ten years ago when she was in High School basically the only only thing she could and did eat was plain chicken and plain eggs. At this point, with medications, she can mostly eat normal, aside from the potato and lettuce.

[–] W3dd1e@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 hour ago

I’m glad that you got it under control! I’m still sorry she doesn’t get to enjoy potatoes.

Wow, so trees are made from potatoes, that's wild. Mother nature, you crazy!

[–] snooggums@piefed.world 3 points 1 day ago

Lignin my balls

[–] W3dd1e@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago

Potato sawdust. Haha. I knew it wasn’t sawdust like trees but it was a dusty material made from plant but I didn’t know what kind.

Thanks! That’s pretty cool