Definition of "solanine"

solanine

noun
countable and uncountable, plural solanines
1. (organic chemistry) A poisonous glycoalkaloid found in many species of the nightshade family Solanaceae, including potato and tomato.
  Quotations
  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.
  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
  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.
  1996, M. M. T. Janssen, H. M. C. Put, M. J. R. Nut, “Chapter Two: Natural Toxins”, in John De Vries, editor, Food Safety and Toxicity, page 14
  Evidently, during the ripening process, the solanines are metabolised to neutral saponins without the occurrence of glycoside hydrolysis.
  2005, Dietrich Frohne, Hans Jürgen Pfänder, Poisonous Plants: A Handbook for Doctors, Pharmacists, Toxicologists, Biologists and Veterinarians, page 380