<span>by damaging the plant's leaves and changing the chemistry of soils and surface water</span>
Well the potatoes would contain carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are an energy source and are broken down/used by your cells. The oil would probably contain lipids, which are NOT soluble in water. Lipids include fats, oils, grease, etc. They can be used for energy storage, cellular membrane structure and signaling.
