solanidine

Solanidine is a nitrogen-containing steroidal alkaloid found in plants of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is the aglycone component of glycoalkaloids such as solanine and solasonine (and related compounds like chaconine), formed when their sugar moieties are removed by hydrolysis. In plants, solanidine and related glycoalkaloids function as chemical defenses against herbivores and pathogens.

Solanidine occurs in several Solanaceae species, most notably in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers, as well as in leaves and stems of some plants. The major potato glycoalkaloids—alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine—consist of solanidine linked to sugar residues; hydrolysis releases solanidine. These compounds accumulate when tubers are exposed to light or damaged.

Human exposure to toxic levels can cause gastroenteritis and central nervous system symptoms such as dizziness and confusion. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. The compounds are relatively heat-stable, and cooking potatoes does not guarantee safety; discarding green, sprouted, or damaged tubers reduces risk.

Assessment and monitoring: Food safety agencies monitor glycoalkaloid levels in potatoes; analytical methods quantify solanine/chaconine and solanidine in foods and biological samples. Research continues on their biosynthesis, ecological role, and potential health effects.