Analysis of metabolic changes in plant pathosystems by imprint imaging DESI-MS

The response of plants to microbial pathogens is based on the production of secondary metabolites. The complexity of plant-pathogen interactions makes their understanding a challenging task for metabolomic studies requiring powerful analytical approaches. In this paper, the ability of ambient mass spectrometry to provide a snapshot of plant metabolic response to pathogen invasion was tested. The fluctuations of glycoalkaloids present in sprouted potatoes infected by the phytopathogen Pythium ultimum were monitored by imprint imaging desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS). After 8 d from the inoculation, a decrease of the relative abundance of potato glycoalkaloids α-solanine (m/z 706) and α-chaconine (m/z 722) was observed, whereas the relative intensity of solanidine (m/z 398), solasodenone (m/z 412), solanaviol (m/z 430), solasodiene (m/z 396), solaspiralidine (m/z 428), γ-solanine/γ-chaconine (m/z 560) , β-solanine (m/z 706), and β-chaconine (m/z 722) increased. The progression of the disease, expressed by the development of brown necrotic lesions on the potato, led to the further decrease of all the glycoalkaloid metabolites. Therefore, the applicability of imprint imaging DESI-MS in studying the plant metabolic changes in a simple pathosystem was demonstrated with minimal sample preparation.

Glycoalkaloid and calystegine levels in table potato cultivars subjected to wounding, light, and heat treatments

Potato tubers naturally contain a number of defense substances, some of which are of major concern for food safety. Among these substances are the glycoalkaloids and calystegines. We have here analyzed levels of glycoalkaloids (α-chaconine and α-solanine) and calystegines (A₃, B₂, and B₄) in potato tubers subjected to mechanical wounding, light exposure, or elevated temperature: stress treatments that are known or anticipated to induce glycoalkaloid levels. Basal glycoalkaloid levels in tubers varied between potato cultivars. Wounding and light exposure, but not heat, increased tuber glycoalkaloid levels, and the relative response differed among the cultivars. Also, calystegine levels varied between cultivars, with calystegine B4 showing the most marked variation. However, the total calystegine level was not affected by wounding or light exposure. The results demonstrate a strong variation among potato cultivars with regard to postharvest glycoalkaloid increases, and they suggest that the biosynthesis of glycoalkaloids and calystegines occurs independently of each other.

Simple and reliable methods for the determination of three steroidal glycosides in the eight species of Solanum by reversed-phase HPLC coupled with diode array detection

INTRODUCTION

Solanum species are important ingredients of many traditional Indian medicines and thus the quality control of their herbal formulations is of paramount concern.

OBJECTIVE

To establish a simple and effective high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method to evaluate the quality of Solanum species and their herbal formulations.

METHODOLOGY

A rapid, simple, sensitive, robust and reproducible HPLC method was developed for the determination of three steroidal glycosides (SG); indioside D, solamargine and α-solanine in eight species of the genus Solanum. The analytes were separated on a monolithic performance RP-18e column (100 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) using a gradient elution of acetonitile-water containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as the mobile phase with a flow rate 0.4 mL/min and UV detection at λ 210 nm.

RESULTS

The method was linear over the range 3-15 µg/mL (r > 9994). Accuracy, precision and repeatability were all within the required limits. The mean recoveries measured at the three concentrations were higher than 98.8% with RSD < 2% for the targets.

CONCLUSION

The established method is simple and can be used as a tool for quality control of plant material or herbal formulation containing SG.

Compositional and toxicological analysis of a GM potato line with reduced α-solanine content--a 90-day feeding study in the Syrian Golden hamster

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (GAs) are toxins, produced by plants of the Solanaceae family. The potato plant (Solanum tuberosum L.) and its tubers predominantly contain the two GAs α-chaconine and α-solanine. These compounds are believed to act in synergy, and the degree of toxicity may therefore depend on their ratio in the potato. To determine the influence of α-solanine: α-chaconine ratio in potatoes on toxicity, a GM potato line (SGT 9-2) with reduced α-solanine content, and the parental control line (Desirée wild-type) having a traditional α-solanine: α-chaconine ratio were (1) studied for compositional similarity by analysing for a range of potato constituents, and (2) used in a 90-day feeding trial with the Syrian Golden hamster to study differential toxicity. The animal feeding study used diets with up to 60% freeze-dried potato powder from either line. Whilst data indicated some compositional differences between the GM line and its wildtype control these did not raise concerns related to nutritional value or safety. Results of the feeding trials showed a low number of significant differences between potato lines with different α-solanine: α-chaconine ratio but none were considered to raise safety concerns with regard to human (or animal) consumption.

Composition of phenolic compounds and glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine during commercial potato processing

The influence of a commercial production process for dehydrated potato flakes on the content of free phenolic compounds, total phenolics, and glycoalkaloids in potatoes during the subsequent processing steps was determined. Processing byproducts, such as potato peel (steam peeling), mashed potato residues, and side streams (blanching and cooking waters), have also been investigated. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to separate and quantify caffeic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-hydoxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, catechin, and three isomers of caffeoylquinic acid: chlorogenic, neochlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acid. Determination of the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine was performed by using a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method. The deliverables reveal that processing potatoes to potato flakes remarkably diminishes the content of the analyzed compounds, mainly due to peeling and leaching. The influence of thermal exposure is less significant. About 43% of the initial phenolic acids and 10% of the glycoalkaloids remain after processing. The results of the total phenolic content assay by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent are proportional to the content of phenolic compounds determined by HPLC. Steam peeling has a higher influence on glycoalkaloid losses compared to that on phenolics. The highest amounts of phenolic compounds and glycoalkaloids were found in peeling byproduct. During processing, the amount of chlorogenic acid decreased, whereas the concentration of neochlorogenic acid increased due to isomerization. The impact of the results on potato processing technology is discussed.

Fate of toxic potato glycoalkaloids in a potato field

The toxic glycoalkaloids, alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine, are present in all parts of the potato plant and are possibly transferred to the terrestrial environment. The amounts of glycoalkaloids in plant, soil, and groundwater were followed in a potato field to investigate their distribution and fate during the season. The amount of glycoalkaloids in the plants was up to 25 kg/ha during maturity and decreased to below 0.63 kg/ha during plant senescence. The glycoalkaloids were detected in the upper soil (up to 0.6 kg/ha); this amount accounted only for a minor fraction of the amount present in the plants. Maximum glycoalkaloid concentration of 2.8 mg/kg dry weight soil was detected in September. Dissipation during winter appeared to be slow because glycoalkaloids were still present in the soil in March. No traces of glycoalkaloids were detected in the groundwater (detection limit 0.2 microg/L). From these results, the leaching potential of the glycoalkaloids is evaluated to be small.

Acute toxicity of high doses of the glycoalkaloids, alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine, in the Syrian Golden hamster

Sprouted, stressed, or spoiled potato tubers have reportedly led to human acute intoxication, coma, and death when consumed in high amounts. These effects have been attributed to glycoalkaloids (GAs), primarily alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine, naturally present in all potatoes. The level of GAs in potato tubers has previously been shown to increase substantially as a result of improper handling and postharvest storage. A short-term study was performed to investigate the dose-response profile of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine alone or in combination, administered daily by oral gavage to Syrian Golden hamsters. Daily doses of 100 mg of alpha-solanine [kg body weight (BW)] (-1) induced death in two of four hamsters within 4 days, when administered by gavage to female Syrian hamsters. Doses of 100 mg of alpha-chaconine alone or alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine combined in a ratio of 1:2.5, in doses of 75 or 100 mg (kg BW) (-1), induced death in one of four hamsters within the same period. Animals dosed with alpha-solanine alone or in combination with alpha-chaconine suffered from fluid-filled and dilated small intestines. The GA administration had no effect on acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) or butyryl cholinesterase (BuChE) activity in plasma or brain. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics showed that there was a specific accumulation of alpha-chaconine in the liver tissues. In addition, metabolomics gave direct evidence of glycolytic metabolism of the GA with the beta 1, beta 2, and gamma-GAs detected in the urine and, to a lesser extent, the feces. Doses from 75 mg (kg BW) (-1) of alpha-chaconine, alpha-solanine, or the two compounds combined were potentially lethal within 4-5 days in the Syrian Golden hamster. However, the cause of death in these studies could not be established. No synergistic effects of alpha-solanine combined with alpha-chaconine were evident.

A major QTL and an SSR marker associated with glycoalkaloid content in potato tubers from Solanum tuberosum x S. sparsipilum located on chromosome I

New potato (Solanum tuberosum) varieties are required to contain low levels of the toxic glycoalkaloids and a potential approach to obtain this is through marker-assisted selection (MAS). Before applying MAS it is necessary to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for glycoalkaloid content in potato tubers and identify markers that link tightly to this trait. In this study, tubers of a dihaploid BC(1) population, originating from a cross between 90-HAF-01 (S. tuberosum(1)) and 90-HAG-15 (S. tuberosum(2) x S. sparsipilum), were evaluated for content of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine (total glycoalkaloid, TGA) after field trials. In addition, tubers were assayed for TGA content after exposure to light. A detailed analysis of segregation patterns indicated that a major QTL is responsible for the TGA content in tubers of this potato population. One highly significant QTL was mapped to chromosome I of the HAG and the HAF parent. Quantitative trait loci for glycoalkaloid production in foliage of different Solanum species have previously been mapped to this chromosome. In the present research, QTLs for alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine content were mapped to the same location as for TGA content. Similar results were observed for tubers exposed to light. The simple sequence repeat marker STM5136 was closely linked to the identified QTL.

Differential gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells induced by single and mixtures of potato glycoalkaloids

Alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine are naturally occurring toxins. They account for 95% of the total glycoalkaloids in potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.). At high levels, these glycoalkaloids may be toxic to humans, mainly by disrupting cell membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. Gene-profiling experiments were performed, whereby Caco-2 cells were exposed to equivalent concentrations (10 microM) of pure alpha-chaconine or alpha-solanine or glycoalkaloid mixtures of varying alpha-chaconine/alpha-solanine ratios for 6 h. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase, cell cycle, and apoptosis analyses experiments were also conducted to further elucidate the effects of glycoalkaloids. The main aims of the study were to determine the transcriptional effects of these glycoalkaloid treatments on Caco-2 cells and to investigate DNA microarray utility in conjunction with conventional toxicology in screening for potential toxicities and their severity. Gene expression and pathway analyses identified changes related to cholesterol biosynthesis, growth signaling, lipid and amino acid metabolism, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappaB cascades, cell cycle, and cell death/apoptosis. To varying extents, DNA microarrays discriminated the severity of the effect among the different glycoalkaloid treatments.

Survey of Glycoalkaloids Content in the Various Potatoes

The content of potato glycoalkaloid (PGA) was investigated in 27 cultivars of raw potatoes and 31 potatoes in commercial foods with peel. The investigation of the 27 cultivars of potatoes showed different contents of glycoalkaloids. "May queen" and "Sherry" showed high contents of PGA (180 mg/kg and 320 mg/kg, respectively) among the raw potatoes of middle size (ca. 100 g). On the other hand, "Inca red" showed the lowest content of 21 mg/kg. Higher contents of PGA were found in smaller potatoes in this study. The content of PGA varied in the range of 48-350 mg/kg in the potatoes in commercial foods with peel.

[Study of the interaction of main potato glycoalkaloids in inhibition of immobilized butyryl cholinesterase]

The interaction of main potato glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in inhibition of horse serum butyryl cholinesterases immobilized on the pH-sensitive field-effect transistors has been investigated. The method of isobol diagram of Loewe and Muishnek has been used for interpretation of results. It has been shown the alpha-chaconine inhibits the immobilized bytyryl cholinesterases more strongly than alpha-solanine, and their mixture has the addition effect.

Rapid screening of ascorbic acid, glycoalkaloids, and phenolics in potato using high-performance liquid chromatography

Evaluation of phenolic metabolism in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) would be facilitated by faster analytical methods. A high-throughput HPLC method was developed for the qualitative and quantitative determination in potato of numerous phenolic compounds, the sum of the glycoalkaloids chaconine and solanine, plus ascorbic acid. Following a fast extraction, HPLC run times of 12 min were achieved with the use of a monolithic RP C18 column. UV and MS analyses were used to characterize the phenolic complement in extracts from two white-fleshed varieties. Over 30 compounds were identified, some of which are thought to possess either nutritional value or are involved in plant disease resistance. This method is expected to be useful for germplasm mining and for varietal development programs in which large numbers of lines are generated.

[Contents and its change during storage of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in potatoes]

Contents of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in native species of potato (May Queen, Danshaku and Waseshiro), and in species (Jagakids Red '90 (Red) and Jagakids Purple '90 (Purple)) on the market, and their change during storage at room temparature were investigated. alpha-Solanine and alpha-chaconine were extracted from potatoes with methanol, cleaned up by using a Sep-Pak Plus C18 cartridge, and then subjected to HPLC. The recoveries of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine from potatoes were both more than 96%, and the quantitation limits were both 2 microg/g. alpha-Solanine and alpha-chaconine were detected in periderm in all samples at the levels of 260-320 microg/g in May Queen,190-240 microg/g in Danshaku, 43-63 microg/g in Waseshiro, 140-200 microg/g in Red and 84-130 microg/g in Purple, respectively. alpha-Solanine and alpha-chaconine were detected in the cortex in all samples of May Queen and Danshaku at the levels of 2.7-12 microg/g and 5.8-31 microg/g, respectively. Contents of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in the cortex of May Queen and Danshaku were less than 10% of those in the periderm. When potatoes were stored for 90 days at room temparature in a dark place, no marked change in the contents of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine was observed in any of the potato samples.

Effect of selenate supplementation on glycoalkaloid content of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) supplemented with increasing amounts of sodium selenate were analyzed for glycoalkaloid (GA) content. GAs were extracted with 5% acetic acid from freeze-dried tubers of two potato cultivars, Satu and Sini, harvested 10 weeks after planting as immature. The GAs alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine were quantified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with diode array detection. Two independent experiments were performed. In the first experiment, the total GA concentration +/- standard error of the tubers ranged between 105 +/- 9 and 124 +/- 10 mg kg(-1) fresh weight in Satu and between 194 +/- 26 and 228 +/- 10 mg kg(-1) fresh weight in Sini. The ratio of alpha-solanine to alpha-chaconine was 0.2 in Satu and 0.5-0.6 in Sini. In the second experiment, the total GA concentration +/- standard error was 75 +/- 4 to 96 +/- 11 mg kg(-1) fresh weight, and the ratio of alpha-solanine to alpha-chaconine was 0.3-0.4 in Satu. A high sodium selenate supplementation (0.9 mg of Se kg(-1) quartz sand) slightly decreased the GA content in Satu, but this decrease was not statistically significant. Furthermore, at this addition level the Se concentration increased to a very high level of 20 microg g(-1) dry weight, which cannot be recommended for human consumption. In both experiments, the Se concentration in tubers increased with increasing sodium selenate application levels. Our results show that acceptable application levels of selenate did not have an effect on the GA concentration in immature potato tubers.

Enrichment of the glycoalkaloids α-solanine and α-chaconine from potato juice by Adsorptive Bubble Separation using a pH gradient

For the first time, the solanidine alkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine could be quantitatively enriched from potato juice by Adsorptive Bubble Separation (ABS) with a pH gradient. The enrichment into the foam was influenced by the pH value, bubble size, and gas flow rate. The efficiency was highest on using diluted samples with a concentration between 2 and 6 mg L(-1) of the alkaloids at pH 6.0. The experiments with a standard solution of each alkaloid confirmed that these substances can be quantitatively enriched into the 'spumat' without surface active potato proteins. The transfer into the foam fraction under these conditions was similar to that from the aqueous potato extract.

Colorado Potato Beetle Toxins Revisited: Evidence the Beetle Does Not Sequester Host Plant Glycoalkaloids

The Colorado potato beetle feeds only on glycoalkaloid-laden solanaceous plants, appears to be toxic to predators, and has aposematic coloration, suggesting the beetle may sequester alkaloids from its host plants. This study tested 4th instars and adults, as well as isolated hemolymph and excrement, to determine if the beetles sequester, metabolize, or excrete alkaloids ingested from their host plants. HPLC analysis showed: that neither the larvae nor the adults sequestered either solanine or chaconine from potato foliage; that any alkaloids in the beetles were at concentrations well below 1 ppm; and that alkaloids were found in the excrement of larvae at approximately the same concentrations as in foliage. Analysis of alkaloids in the remains of fed-upon leaflet halves plus excreta during 24 hr feeding by 4th instars, as compared to alkaloids in the uneaten halves of the leaflets, showed that equal amounts of alkaloids were excreted as were ingested. The aposematic coloration probably warns of a previously-identified toxic dipeptide instead of a plant-derived alkaloid, as the Colorado potato beetle appears to excrete, rather than sequester or metabolize, the alkaloids from its host plants.

Determination of potato glycoalkaloids using high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation/mass spectrometry

A method for quantifying two toxic glycoalkaloids, alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine, in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber tissue was developed using HPLC-electrospray ionisation (ESI)/MS. Potato samples were extracted with 5% aqueous acetic acid, and the extracts were subjected directly to HPLC-ESI/MS after filtration. By determining the intensities of the protonated molecules of alpha-solanine (m/z 868) and alpha-chaconine (m/z 852) using selected ion monitoring (positive ion mode), a sensitive assay was attained with detection limits of 38 and 14 ppb for the two glycoalkaloids, respectively. The high sensitivity and selectivity of MS detection effectively reduced the time of analysis thus enabling a high throughput assay of glycoalkaloids in potato tubers.

Glycoalkaloid and calystegine contents of eight potato cultivars

Diverse procedures have been reported for the separation and analysis by HPLC of the two major glycoalkaloids present in potatoes, alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine. To further improve the usefulness of the HPLC method, studies were carried out on the influence of several salient parameters on the analysis of the two potato glycoalkaloids. Effects on retention (elution, separation) times of the (a) composition and pH of the mobile phase (acetonitrile and phosphate buffer), (b) concentration of the phosphate buffer, (c) capacity values of column packing of four commercial HPLC amino columns, (d) column temperature were studied. Except for pH, all of the variables significantly influenced the retention times. The results make it possible to select analysis conditions that produce well-separated as well as symmetrical peaks of the two glycoalkaloids. This improved HPLC method (limit of detection of approximately 150 ng) was evaluated with extracts from the cortex of one whole potato variety (May Queen) grown in Japan and the freeze-dried peel and flesh from the following eight cultivars grown in the United States: Atlantic, Dark Red Norland, Ranger Russet, Red Lasoda, Russet Burbank, Russet Norkota, Shepody, and Snowden. In addition, the same samples were analyzed by GC-MS for the presence of two water-soluble nortropane alkaloids, calystegine A(3) and calystegine B(2), reported to be potent glycosidase inhibitors. The following ranges for the eight varieties of total glycoalkaloid and calystegine levels were observed: dry flesh, 5-592 and 6-316 mg/kg; dry peel, 84-2226 and 218-2581 mg/kg; dry whole potatoes, 40-883 and 34-326 mg/kg; wet flesh, 1-148 and 1-68 mg/kg; wet peel, 12-429 and 35-467 mg/kg; wet whole potatoes, 7-187 and 5-68 mg/kg. The possible significance of the results to plant and food sciences is discussed.

[Glycoalkaloids in potatoes]

With its high concentration in starch and vitamins (C, B1 and B2), the potato, cooked in water, is a very interesting source of energy. Unfortunately, it also contains natural toxins: the glycoalkaloids. Their variable amount can depend, in particular, on different environmental factors. This paper summarizes these factors effects and the glycoalcaloids toxicology.

ADP ribosylation factor regulates metabolism and antioxidant capacity of transgenic potato tubers

In our recent studies we have evidenced that repression of ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) in potato plants results in 14-3-3 gene activation. The significant alteration in plant phenotype and in carbohydrate content clearly indicates that there may also be changes in other metabolite syntheses. In this paper we present the data on contents of compounds, occurring in transgenic potato tubers from field trial, known to be important for the human diet. We also determine which of the ARF-antisense plant features resulted from ARF repression. This determination was accomplished by the analysis of ARF-antisense plants transformed with cDNA encoding 14-3-3 protein in reverse orientation. The sucrose accumulation and the decrease in glycoalkaloids level were found to be characteristic features of all transgenic plants. The increase in antioxidant capacity of transgenic potato tubers should also be pointed out. The analysis of fat from modified potato tubers revealed a nutritionally valuable composition of fatty acids, including the significant increase of linoleic acid level.

Glycoalkaloid content and chemical composition of potatoes improved with nonconventional breeding approaches

This paper reports the results of chemical analyses performed on two distinct groups of new potato genotypes. The first group contained five clones transformed with the gene ech42 encoding for an endochitinase. The second included 21 interspecific hybrids between the cultivated potato Solanum tuberosum and the wild species S. commersonii, obtained either by somatic fusion or by sexual hybridization. Tubers from transgenic plants were analyzed for several morphological and biochemical parameters to ascertain the substantial equivalence between the transgenic genotypes and the original cultivar Désirée. The interspecific hybrids were analyzed for the same parameters in order to identify genotypes with novel improved chemical characteristics and with low levels of glycoalkaloids deriving from the wild species and potentially hazardous to human health. For transgenic tubers, the results provided evidence that indicates the substantial equivalence between the transgenic genotypes and the cultivated control for the considered traits. The results suggest that chitinase gene insertion did not alter other metabolic pathways of potato tubers and did not cause unintentional pleiotropic effects. As far as interspecific hybrids are concerned, wide variability for all of the parameters analyzed was found. For some useful traits (e.g., soluble solids and proteins, dry matter content) the interspecific hybrids performed better than both the cultivated control and the wild species. In a number of genotypes, glycoalkaloid levels were close to or lower than those of the control varieties, suggesting that selection for low glycoalkaloid content is possible. The results also indicated that glycoalkaloids from S. commersonii may be lost rapidly. Indeed, some hybrids were found to have the same glycoalkaloid profile as S. tuberosum. Finally, the results showed that among the parameters considered, glycoalkaloid content is the most sensitive to variation. Therefore, glycoalkaloid determination should be used for routine control of genotypes produced by interspecific hybridization.

Determination of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in potatoes by high-performance thin-layer chromatography/densitometry

A high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was used to determine the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in potatoes. Alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine are extracted from dehydrated potatoes with boiling methanol-acetic acid (95 + 5, v/v). The analytes are separated on a Silica Gel 60 F254 HPTLC plate by a saturated mixture of dichloromethane-methanol-water-concentrated ammonium hydroxide (70 + 30 + 4 + 0.4, v/v), which is used for vertical development of the plate up to a distance of 85 mm. For visualization, the plate is dipped 3 times into a modified Carr-Price reagent, 20% (w/v) antimony(III) chloride in acetic acid-dichloromethane (1 + 3, v/v), and subsequently heated on a hot plate at 105 degrees C for 5 min. The glycoalkaloids all appear as red chromatographic zones on a colorless background. Densitometric quantification is performed at 507 nm by reflectance scanning. After determination of the appropriate response function, the proposed method was validated. Good results with respect to linearity, accuracy, and precision were obtained in the concentration range studied.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in 12 commercial varieties of Mexican potato

The glycoalkaloid content in 12 commercial varieties of Mexican potatoes was measured by HPLC in both the peel and the flesh of the potato. The principal glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine were present in higher concentration in the peel than in the flesh of all varieties. The main alkaloid in the peel of the potatoes was alpha-chaconine and comprised about 65-71% of the total glycoalkaloids. The high concentration of alpha-chaconine in peel, which is more toxic than alpha-solanine, gives more protection to the tuber against predators. The total alkaloids in the peel of Alpha, Juanita, Michoacan, Norteña, Rosita, and Tollocan varieties were higher than the limit recommended for food safety. However, the peel represents less than 10% of the total tuber in most of the varieties. The total alkaloids contained in the peel of Atzimba, Lopez, Marciana, Montsama, Murca, and Puebla was lower than the limits recommended for food safety. The glycoalkaloid content in the boiled peeled potatoes was less than 9 mg/100 g but in Alpha, Montsama, and Puebla varieties, both glycoalkaloids were absent. According to the results, the consumption of the 12 commercial varieties of Mexican potatoes does not represent any danger to human health.

Glycoalkaloids in potato tubers grown under controlled environments

Tuber content of alpha-solanine, alpha-chaconine, and total glycoalkaloids (TGA) was determined for the potato cultivars, Norland, Russet Burbank, and Denali grown under different environmental conditions in growth chambers. The lowest TGA concentrations (0.30 to 0.35 mg g-1 dry tissue) were found in the cv. Norland with 400 micromoles m-2 s-1 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), 12 h day length, 16 C temperature, and 350 micromoles mol-1 carbon dioxide. The ratio of alpha-chaconine to alpha-solanine was close to 60:40 under all growing conditions, except that it was 50:50 under the low temperature of 12 C. Cultivars responded similarly to environmental conditions although TGA was about 20% greater in cv. Russet Burbank and about 30% greater in Denali compared to Norland. The largest changes in TGA occurred with changes in temperature. In comparison to 16 C, TGA were 40% greater at 12 C, 80% greater at 20 C, and 125% greater at 24 C (0.70 mg g-1 dry weight). The TGA concentration increased from 10 to 25% with an increase in light from 400 to 800 micromoles m-2 s-1 PPF for all three cultivars. TGA increased 20% with extension of the day length from 12 to 24 hr and also increased 20% when carbon dioxide was increased from 350 to 1000 micromoles mol-1. TGA concentrations were not influenced by changes in relative humidity from 50 to 80%. TGA concentrations decreased only slightly in harvests made from 9 to 21 weeks after planting. Variations in TGA among the different growing conditions and cultivars were below 20 mg/100 g fresh weight (approximately 1.0 mg g-1 dry weight) recognized as the upper concentration for food safety. However the results suggest that TGA should be considered when potatoes are grown at temperatures above 20 C.

[Solanine and chaconine: occurrence, properties, methods for determination]

Glycoalkaloids are naturally occurring toxicants in plants that are members of the Solanaceae family. In this paper occurrence of glycoalkaloids, especially solanine and chaconine in potatoes and tomatoes, were reviewed. Basing on literature, toxicological properties and methods of determination were reported. Attention was paid to common content of glycoalkaloids in potatoes and tomatoes and their commercial products. Solanine and chaconine are usually present at low levels in large majority of current commercial varieties but they can accumulate to high levels in greened, stored, damaged potatoes. High concentration may cause acute poisoning, including gastro-intestinal and neurological disturbances, in man. The upper limit, recognized as a safe (non-toxic), was presented. According to WHO normal levels in potatoes 20-100 mg per kg of potatoes is not of toxicological concern.

Glycoalkaloid concentration in Alberta potatoes determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry was used to determine concentrations of individual potato glycoalkaloids in tubers. Samples were extracted with methanol-water and deposited on 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone crystals. Positive ions were analyzed with a MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with a 337 nm laser. Analyte ion intensities relative to an internal standard were used to determine chaconine and solanine concentrations. Calibration curves were prepared by standard additions to potato tuber material. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of triplicate measurements ranged from 1 to 16%, with an average of 9%. The day-to-day RSD for replicate determinations was 11%. Recoveries of analyst-prepared spikes (50 micrograms/g) averaged 104% for chaconine (RSD, 8%) and 98% for solanine (RSD, 4%). The method limit of detection was estimated to be 2 micrograms/g.

Sampling leaves of young potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants for glycoalkaloid analysis

Earlier attempts to measure potato (Solanum tuberosum) leaf glycoalkaloids indicated variability among similar plants, suggesting that a single small sampling of a young plant might not be a reliable measure of composition. It was also suggested that freeze-dried leaf samples might be less variable than fresh ones. In the present work, variability was minimized by comparing single leaves from the same stem position of each plant. Comparisons involving other leaves indicated that the glycoalkaloid content was not constant with respect to either time or position on the stem. In addition, the possible influence of differences in growing conditions at different times suggests that repeated plantings should include a known variety as a control to which other plants are compared. Variability was reduced by calculating glycoalkaloid concentrations on a dry weight rather than fresh weight basis. The method of drying the samples, however, had no influence on the variability of data. These considerations should be generally applicable to the sampling of replicate leaves of any plant for analysis of any components.

Liquid chromatographic determination of the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in potato tubers: NMKL Interlaboratory Study. Nordic Committee on Food Analysis

Twelve laboratories participated in a collaborative study to evaluate precision parameters of a liquid chromatographic method for analysis of the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in potato tubers. Samples consisted of frozen potato tuber homogenates distributed as 3 blind duplicates and 3 split-level pairs. The analytical method included aqueous extraction, workup on disposable solid-phase extraction cartridges, and reversed-phase chromatography with photometric detection at 202 nm. Results for alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine were received from 10 and 9 laboratories, respectively. Relative standard deviations for reproducibility for alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine were similar, ranging from 8 to 13% in the applied concentration range of 12 to 260 mg/kg fresh weight.

Glycoalkaloid and nitrate content of potatoes as affected by method of selenium application

A comparison of two methods of selenium application, banding and foliar spray, of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on total glycoalkaloid (TGA) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) was studied during each of two consecutive years. The levels of application used were 0.0, 1.6 (0.75), 3.36 (1.5), and 5.6 (2.5) kg/ha (ppm soil). Both TGA and NO3-N were significantly reduced by application of 1.5 and 2.5 ppm of sodium selenite. Tuber selenium levels were significantly increased at all levels of application, using either banding or foliar spray, but were well below the toxic range for human consumption. Banding resulted in greater uptake of Se, and greater decreases in TGA and NO3-N as compared to foliar spray.

Utilization of potatoes in bioregenerative life support systems

Data on the tuberization, harvest index, and morphology of 2 cvs of white potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown at 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 degrees C, 250, 400 and 550 micromoles s-1 m-2 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), 350, 1000 and 1600 microliters l-1 CO2 will be presented. A productivity of 21.9 g m-2 day-1 of edible tubers from a solid stand of potatoes grown for 15 weeks with continuous irradiation at 400 micromoles s-1 m-2, 16 degrees C and 1000 microliters l-1 CO2 has been obtained. This equates to an area of 34.3 m2 being required to provide 2800 kcal of potatoes per day for a human diet. Separated plants receiving side lighting have produced 32.8 g m-2 day-1 which equates to an area of 23.6 m2 to provide 2800 kcal. Studies with side lighting indicate that productivities in this range should be realized from potatoes. Glycoalkaloid levels in tubers of controlled-environment-grown plants are within the range of levels found in tubers of field grown plants. The use and limitation of recirculating solution cultures for potato growth is discussed.

Laser desorption/Fourier transform mass spectra of glycoalkaloids and steroid glycosides

Positive- and negative-ion mass spectra of five glycoconjugates were obtained using laser desorption/Fourier transform mass spectrometry. These were the glycoalkaloids alpha-solanine and alpha-tomatine and the steroid glycosides gitoxin, lanatoside A and digitonin. Doping with KCl yielded both potassium- and chloride-attachment ions. Few fragment ions were observed for these species, with the exception of digitonin, although the negative-ion spectra showed relatively more fragmentation than the positive-ion spectra. All major fragments appeared to arise from losses of sugar groups due to cleavages at the glycosidic linkages. This contrasted sharply with the behavior of the malto-oligosaccharides studied in this laboratory.

Potato glycoalkaloids

This review shall attempt to summarize the significance of glycoalkaloids in potato products. Specific areas that are discussed include the types and distribution of glycoalkaloids identified in potatoes, facts affecting their rates of formation and biosynthesis, control measures to minimize their formation, methods of analysis, and the health implications of such compounds along with their flavor properties.

An outbreak of suspected solanine poisoning in schoolboys: Examinations of criteria of solanine poisoning

Seventy eight schoolboys became ill after eating potato at lunch on the second day of the autumn term. Seventeen of the boys required admission to hospital. The gastrointestinal, circulatory, neurological and dermatological findings and the results of laboratory investigations were in keeping with solanine poisoning. The illness affected the junior boys and all the monitors but no other senior boys or staff. This pattern was compatible with the consumption of a relatively small number of toxic potatoes believed to have come from a bag (A) left in the stores since the summer term. The amount of solanine in potato waste recovered after the meal was excessive as assessed by its anticholinesterase activity. The amount of alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine in the flesh and peel of potatoes from a bag (B) known to have been left from the previous term was high. The anomalously narrow margin between the solanidine alkaloid content reported for normal and toxic potatoes might perhaps result from an excessive synthesis by the latter of additional, related steroids, such as sapogenins and saponins, which, by promoting gastrointestinal absorption or other means, might enhance the toxicity of solanidine alkaloid.

[On the determination of the solanum alkaloide solanine and chaconine (author's transl)]

A new analytical method for quantitative determination of solanine and chaconine in potato tubers, sprouts and leaves has been developed: a) The extraction with pyridine causes a careful isolation of glycoalkaloids; b) the glycoalkaloids are determined by gaschromatography after silylation.

[Determination of the solanine-chaconine ratio in potato sprouts and tubers (author's transl)]

Solanidine glycosides isolated from potato sprouts and tubers were split into sugars and aglycone by acid hydrolysis. The silylethers of these sugars were determined by gaschromatography. From the values thus obtained the solanine-chaconine ratio was calculated.