Solanine

Synonyms

Solanid-5-ene, 3-beta-((O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)oxy)-; Solatunine; alpha-Solanin; beta-D-Galactopyranoside, (3beta)-solanid-5-en-3-yl O-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-2)-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-3)); [ChemIDplus]

Category

Plant Toxins

Description

Solid; [Merck Index] White odorless solid; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Found in the Solanum species (especially potatoes); Has been used as an agricultural insecticide; [Merck Index]

Comments

In Britain, potatoes are the most common cause of solanine poisoning of farm animals, usually pigs; Large amounts of this alkaloid are produced as potatoes turn green on exposure to light; Old and unripe or sprouted and rotten tubers also pose a threat; Emergency treatment: "Plants- solanine"; Solanine causes nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and possibly drowsiness and coma. [HSDB] Solanine poisoning is uncommon in humans. Ingestion of 2-5 grams of green parts of potatoes/kg body weight is not likely to cause acute toxicity. [Goldfrank, p. 1545]

Biomedical References

Other CNS neurotoxin

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)