Solanine is toxic and has fungicidal and pesticidal properties, and it is one of the plant's natural defenses. It can occur naturally in any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruits, and tubers. Tomatine, which has fungicidal properties, is toxic and found in the stems and leaves of tomato plants.
Is solanine a chemical?
Solanine was first isolated in 1820 from the berries of the European black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), after which it was named. It belongs to the chemical family of saponins.
What kind of toxin is solanine?
Solanine is a toxic glycoalkaloid known to accumulate under certain conditions in potato plant, sprouts and tuber in levels which, if ingested, may cause poisoning in humans and farm animals.
Is solanine toxic?
Most people can easily cope with the solanine in the average portion of potato and show no symptoms of poisoning because the body can break it down and rapidly and excrete the products in the urine. But if the level of solanine is as high as 40 mg per 100 g of potato, symptoms include diarrhea…even coma.
How does the body get rid of solanine?
Some solanine can be removed by boiling but not by baking. The major effect of α-solanine and α-chaconine is the reversible inhibition of cholinesterase. Cardiotoxic and teratogenic effects have also been reported.
