Solanine

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison found in species of the nightshade family. It can occur naturally in the any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruit, and tubers. It is very toxic even in small quantities. Solanine has both fungicidal and pesticidal properties, and it is one of the plant's natural defenses.

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Symptoms

Solanine poisoning is primarily displayed by gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, headaches and dizziness. Hallucinations, loss of sensation, and paralysis, fever, jaundice, dilated pupils and hypothermia have been reported in more severe cases.

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In large quantities, solanine poisoning can cause death. One study suggests that doses of 2 to 5 mg per kilogram of body weight can cause toxic symptoms, and doses of 3 to 6 mg per kilogram of body weight can be fatal.

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Symptoms usually occur 8 to 12 hours after ingestion, but may occur as rapidly as 30 minutes after eating high-solanine foods.

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Correlation with Birth Defects

Some studies show a correlation between the consumption of potatoes suffering from late-blight (which increases solanine and other glycoalkaloid levels) and the incidence of congenital spina bifida in humans. However other studies have shown no correlation between potato consumption and the incidence of birth defects.

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Glycoalkaloid: A glycoalkaloid is a type of poison found in species in the Nightshade family. Solanine is an example of a glycoalkaloid. Glycoalkaloids are also found in potatoes and other starchy foods which has caused debate over whether they should be part of the human diet....

Poison: :This article is about the dangerous substance. For the band see Poison....

Nightshade: REDIRECT Solanum...