α-Solanine
Identifiers
CAS number	[20562-02-1]
PubChem	6537493
Properties
Molecular formula	C45H73NO15
Molar mass	868. CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for Chemical compounds Polymers biological sequences mixtures and Alloys They are also referred to PubChem is a Database of chemical Molecules The system is maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI a component A chemical formula is a way of expressing information about the Atoms that constitute a particular Chemical compound, and how the relationship between those atoms changes Molar mass, symbol M, is the Mass of one mole of a substance ( Chemical element or Chemical compound) 06
Appearance	crystalline solid
Melting point	271 - 273 °C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison found in species of the nightshade family, such as potatoes. The melting point of a solid is the temperature range at which it changes state from solid to Liquid. In Chemistry, the standard state of a material is its state at 1 bar (100 Kilopascals exactly Glycoalkaloids are a family of Poisons commonly found in the plant species Solanum dulcamara ( Nightshade) In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by The Solanaceae is a family of Flowering plants that contains a number of important agricultural plants as well as many toxic plants It can occur naturally in any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruit, and tubers. It is very toxic even in small quantities. Solanine has both fungicidal and pesticidal properties, and it is one of the plant's natural defenses.

Contents 1 Solanine poisoning 1.1 Symptoms 1.2 Mechanism of Action 1.3 Correlation with birth defects 2 Solanine in potatoes 3 Other uses of solanine 4 References 5 External links

Solanine poisoning

Symptoms

Solanine poisoning is primarily displayed by gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, heart arrhythmia, headache and dizziness. Hallucinations, loss of sensation, paralysis, fever, jaundice, dilated pupils and hypothermia have been reported in more severe cases. Jaundice, also known as icterus (attributive adjective "icteric" is yellowish discoloration of the Skin, sclerae (whites of the eyes Hypothermia is a condition in which an organism's temperature drops below that required for normal Metabolism and bodily functions

In large quantities, solanine poisoning can cause death. One study suggests that doses of 2 to 5 mg per kilogram of body weight can cause toxic symptoms, and doses of 3 to 6 mg per kilogram of body weight can be fatal.

Symptoms usually occur 8 to 12 hours after ingestion, but may occur as rapidly as 30 minutes after eating high-solanine foods.

Mechanism of Action

One study suggests that the toxic mechanism of solanine is caused by the chemical's interaction with mitochondrial membranes. Experiments show that solanine exposure opens the potassium channels of mitochondria, increasing their membrane potential. In Cell biology, a mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is a membrane-enclosed Organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. This in turn leads to Ca2+ being transported down its concentration gradient into the mitochondria, and it is this increased concentration of Ca2+ in the cell that triggers cell damage and apoptosis. [1]

Correlation with birth defects

Some studies show a correlation between the consumption of potatoes suffering from late-blight (which increases solanine and other glycoalkaloid levels) and the incidence of congenital spina bifida in humans. Spina bifida ( Latin: "split spine" is a developmental Birth defect involving the Neural tube: incomplete closure of the Embryonic neural However, other studies have shown no correlation between potato consumption and the incidence of birth defects. [2]

Solanine in potatoes

Solanine occurs naturally in all nightshades, including tomatoes, capsicum, tobacco and eggplant, as well as plants from other species. The Solanaceae is a family of Flowering plants that contains a number of important agricultural plants as well as many toxic plants The tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum, syn Lycopersicon lycopersicum) is a herbaceous usually sprawling plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family Capsicum is a Genus of Plants from the nightshade family ( Solanaceae) native to the Americas, where it was cultivated for thousands The eggplant, aubergine, or brinjal ( Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades However, most ingested solanine is from the consumption of potatoes. The potato is a Starchy Tuberous crop Vegetable from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae

Potatoes naturally produce solanine and chaconine, a related glycoalkaloid, as a defense mechanism against insects, disease, and predators. Potato leaves and stems and shoots are naturally high in glycoalkaloids.

When potato tubers are exposed to light, they turn green and increase glycoalkaloid production. Tubers are various types of modified plant structures that are enlarged to store Nutrients They are used by Plants to overwinter and regrow the next year This is a natural defense to help prevent the uncovered tuber from being eaten. The green colour is from chlorophyll, and is itself harmless. Chlorophyll is a green Pigment found in most Plants Algae and Cyanobacteria. However, it is an indication that increased level of solanine and chaconine may be present.

Some diseases, such as potato blight, can dramatically increase the levels of glycoalkaloids present in potatoes. Phytophthora infestans is an Oomycete that causes the serious Potato disease known as late blight or potato blight. Mechanically damaged potatoes also produce increased levels of glycoalkaloids. This is believed to be a natural reaction of the plant in response to disease and damage.

Commercial varieties of potatoes are screened for solanine levels, and most have a solanine content of less than 0. 2 mg/g. However, potatoes that have been exposed to light and started to green can show concentrations of 1 mg/g or more. In these situations a single unpeeled potato can result in a dangerous dose.

In potato tubers 30–80% of the solanine develops in and close to the skin.

Showing green under the skin strongly suggests solanine build-up in potatoes although each process can occur without the other. A bitter taste in a potato is another, potentially more reliable indicator of toxicity.

The National Institute of Health's information on solanine says to never eat potatoes that are green below the skin.

Deep-frying potatoes at 170°C (306°F) is known to effectively lower glycoalkaloid levels, whereas microwaving is only somewhat effective and boiling has no effect.

Other uses of solanine

Solanine has fungicidal and pesticidal properties, and solanine hydrochloride (a salt of solanine) has been used as a commercial pesticide, but never on a large scale.

Solanine has sedative and anticonvulsant properties, and has been used as a treatment for asthma, as well as for cough and cold medicines. Asthma is a chronic Condition involving the Respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict become inflamed, and are However, its effectiveness for either use is questionable.

References

• a-Chaconine and a-Solanine, Review of Toxicological Literature
• MedlinePlus Encyclopedia 002875 - "Green tubers and sprouts"
• The effect of solanine on the membrane potential of mitochondria in HepG2 cells and [Ca2+i in cells]

External links

MedlinePlus, with the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, is a website network containing Health information from the world's largest medical Library

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