solanine

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A poisonous glycoalkaloid found in many species of the nightshade family Solanaceae, including potato and tomato.

   “1989, R. P. Sharma, D. K. Salunkhe, Chapter 8: Solanum Glycoalkaloids, Peter R. Cheeke (editor), Toxicants of Plant Origin: Alkaloids, Volume 1: Alkaloids, page 214, Apparently the high activity of α-solanine injected into the bloodstream may be due to cholinesterase inhibition, while the lesser effects of orally administered α-solanine could reflect its poor adsorption from the gastrointestinal tract.”

   “The most potent inhibitors are found in potatoes, and of these the most active component is the glycoalkaloid solanine. The toxicity of solanine has been the subject of extensive study.”

   “Evidently, during the ripening process, the solanines are metabolised to neutral saponins without the occurrence of glycoside hydrolysis.”