Potato Solarium tuberosum chemicals

Structure with nine chemical steriocentres. The compound is released from roots of young potato, Solarium tuberosum. Biological activity tests demonstrate that synthetic derivatives of the compound induce premature hatching of potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, juveniles and therefore may have the potential to be used as an enviromnentally compatible strategy for pest control (Netherlands Organization For Scientific Research, 2001). 

The fruit of a number of solanaceous plants, including tomato Lycopersicon esculentum), potato Solanum tuberosum) and eggplant Solarium melongena esculentum), have cholinesterase-inhibiting effects (Krasowski et al. 1997). They contain solanaceous glycoalkaloids o-solanine and o-chaconine, which are triglycosides of solanidine, a steroidal alkaloid derived from cholesterol. They are the only plant chemicals known to inhibit both acetlycholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, both in vitro and in vivo. 

Kolbe, H., Stephan-Beckmann, S. (1997). Development, growth and chemical composition of the potato crop (Solarium tuberosum L.). II. Tuber and whole plants. Potato Res., 40, 135-153. 

We have been involved in mechanistic studies aimed at understanding the basis of glandular trichome-based insect resistance in wild Solarium (potato) and Lycopersicon (tomato) species. Much effort has focused on identification of wild members of the Solanaceae with potentially useful resistance traits for introgression into Solarium tuberosum and Lycopersicon esculentum. In many cases resistance has been shown to be conferred by glandular trichomes, modified epidermal cells (i) which function as physical and/or chemical barriers against insect attack (2-10 > Tingey, this volume). 

Dean B B, Kolattukudy P E, Davis R W 1977 Chemical composition and ultrastructure of suberin from hollow heart tissue of potato tubers Solarium tuberosum). Plant Physiol 59 1008-1010... 

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