Degradation of the potato glycoalkaloid alpha-solanine in three agricultural soils

Solanum Nigrum Fruit Extract Increases Toxicity of Fenitrothion-A Synthetic Insecticide, in the Mealworm Beetle Tenebrio Molitor Larvae

Synthetic insecticides are widely used for crop protection both in the fields and in the food stored facilities. Due to their toxicity, and assumptions of Integrated Pest Management, we conducted two independent experiments, where we studied the influence of Solanum nigrum unripe fruit extract on the toxicity of an organophosphorus insecticide fenitrothion. In the first variant of the experiment, Tenebrio molitor larvae were fed with blended fenitrothion (LC50) and the extract in four concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10%) in ratio 1:1 for 3 days. In the second variant, a two-day application of fenitrothion (LC40) was preceded by a one-day extract treatment. The first variant did not show any increase in lethality compared to fenitrothion; however, ultrastructure observations exhibited swollen endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes in the midgut and nuclear and cellular membranes in the fat body, after application of blended fenitrothion and extract. An increased amount of heterochromatin in the fat body was observed, too. In the second variant, pre-treatment of the extract increased the lethality of larvae, decreased the level of glycogen and lipids in the fat body and disrupted integrity of midgut cellular membranes. S. nigrum extract, applied prior to fenitrothion treatment can be a factor increasing fenitrothion toxicity in T. molitor larvae. Thus, this strategy may lead to decreased emission of synthetic insecticides to the environment.

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Quantification of α-solanine, α-chaconine, and Solanidine in Potato Protein Isolates

For potato proteins to be used as a food ingredient, the level of natural potato defense substances, the glycoalkaloids (GAs), should be limited. In this work, a method is developed for quantification of the two major potato GAs, α-solanine and α-chaconine, as well as for their aglycon form, solanidine, using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry single quadrupole in single ion monitoring mode. Standard solutions of GA and a food-grade potato protein powder was used to validate the method. A linear correlation between GA concentration and the ion intensity of >0.995 was obtained for all standard solutions. Recovery of GA in spiked samples was within the range 82%–106%. The method for GA quantification was applied to a variety of potato protein isolates. The results showed that total GA increased during the storage of the potatoes. Washing the potato protein isolates using water at a sufficient level was shown to be able to reduce the amount of GA below the threshold of 150 µg g⁻¹, as needed for human consumption.

A Screening Method for the Isolation of Bacteria Capable of Degrading Toxic Steroidal Glycoalkaloids Present in Potato

Potato juice, a by-product of starch processing, is a potential high-value food ingredient due to its high protein content. However, conversion from feed to human protein requires the removal of the toxic antinutritional glycoalkaloids (GAs) α-chaconine and α-solanine. Detoxification by enzymatic removal could potentially provide an effective and environmentally friendly process for potato-derived food protein production. While degradation of GAs by microorganisms has been documented, there exists limited knowledge on the enzymes involved and in particular how bacteria degrade and metabolize GAs. Here we describe a series of methods for the isolation, screening, and selection of GA-degrading bacteria. Bacterial cultures from soils surrounding greened potatoes, including the potato peels, were established and select bacterial isolates were studied. Screening of bacterial crude extracts for the ability to hydrolyze GAs was performed using a combination of thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences revealed that bacteria within the genus Arthrobacter were among the most efficient GA-degrading strains.