The potato plant (Solanum tuberosum) is a well-known herbaceous perennial that is cultivated for production of potatoes.
Potato Toxic Components
Potatoes and parts of the potato plant contain antinutritional and potentially toxic compounds including inhibitors of digestive enzymes, hemagglutinins, and glycoalkaloids (chaconine, solanine). These toxic chemicals occur naturally in any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruit, and tubers. At high levels, these chemicals can inhibit cholinesterase, induce teratogenicity, and disrupt cell membranes within the intestinal epithelial barrier.
- Diarrhea
- Colic
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Royal Botanical Gardens Solanum tuberosum (potato) Kew. 2016.
- Government of Canada Solanum tuberosum (Scientific name) Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility. 2013.
- Ha, M., Kwak, J. H., Kim, Y., & Zee, O. P Direct analysis for the distribution of toxic glycoalkaloids in potato tuber tissue using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging. Food Chemistry. 2012.
- Iablokov V1, Sydora BC, Foshaug R, Meddings J, Driedger D, Churchill T, Fedorak RN. Naturally occurring glycoalkaloids in potatoes aggravate intestinal inflammation in two mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Dis Sci. 2010.
- Duke Poisonous Outdoor Plants - Garden Plants: Vegetables Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. 2010.
- Barceloux DG. Potatoes, tomatoes, and solanine toxicity (Solanum tuberosum L., Solanum lycopersicum L.). Disease-a-month. 2009.
- Friedman M Potato glycoalkaloids and metabolites: roles in the plant and in the diet. J Agric Food Chem. 2006.
- Wang S1, Panter KE, Gaffield W, Evans RC, Bunch TD. Effects of steroidal glycoalkaloids from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) on in vitro bovine embryo development. Animal Reproductive Science. 2005.
- Burrows, G. E.; Tyrl, R. J. Toxic plants of North America Iowa State Univ Press, Ames,. 2001.
- Friedman M, McDonald GM. Postharvest changes in glycoalkaloid content of potatoes. Adv Exp Med Biol.. 1999.
