what is solanine

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison found in species of the nightshade family within the genus Solanum, such as the potato, the tomato, and the eggplant. It can occur naturally in any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruit, and tubers. Solanine has pesticidal properties and is one of the plants natural defenses. It is a bitter-tasting steroidal alkaloid saponin that has been isolated from all nightshades, including tomatoes, capsicum, tobacco, and eggplant. Solanine poisoning primarily displays gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, cardiac dysrhythmia, nightmares, headache, dizziness, itching, eczema, thyroid problems, and inflammation and pain in the joints. In more severe cases, hallucinations, loss of sensation, paralysis, fever, jaundice, dilated pupils, hypothermia, and death have been reported. Solanine is relatively less toxic when ingested than when parenterally administered, probably due to its poor absorption, rapid excretion, and hydrolysis to less toxic solanine in the stomach. However, solanine poisoning may still cause a severe enough syndrome to be fatal. The green part of a potato contains solanine, and if eaten in great quantities, it can lead to solanine poisoning. Nature provides a warning through the bitter taste and greening of the potato to prevent consumption of solanine.