Analysis of biologically active compounds in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), and jimson weed (Datura stramonium) seeds

A comprehensive approach to the monitoring of steroidal glycoalkaloids in foods of plant origin

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (GAs) are toxins produced by solanaceous plants. As there are no fully standardized methods for their extraction and determination in food, the research aimed to: (1) develop and critically compare methods based on gas (GC) and liquid (LC) chromatography, including their coupling with mass spectrometry, and (2) to develop and optimize a universal GA extraction method. Hyphenated techniques proved to be the most useful in GA analysis: LC-MS was the most sensitive one, while GC-MS offered the highest chromatographic resolution. It was proven that quantitative results obtained using different analytical techniques cannot be directly compared. New extraction method that is more efficient than the AOAC method (997.13) was then designed and optimized. It was characterized by higher absolute recovery (99% and 34%, respectively) and allowed to extract much more GAs from the same material (e.g. 21.2 ± 1.4 and 11.82 ± 0.97 mg g-1 of potato tubers, respectively).

Hyaluronic acid production by Streptococcus zooepidemicus MW26985 using potato peel waste hydrolyzate

In this research, we examined the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) by Streptococcus zooepidemicus strain MW26985 using different substrates and potato peel waste (PPW) as an affordable substrate. First, culture medium components, including carbon and nitrogen sources, were optimized for bacterial HA production. Five different carbon sources (glucose, sucrose, lactose, sago starch, and potato starch, at a concentration of 30 g/L) and three distinct nitrogen sources (peptone, yeast extract, and ammonium sulfate, at a concentration of 10 g/L) were investigated. Glucose, among the carbon sources, and yeast extract, among nitrogen sources, produced the most HA which was determined as 1.41 g/L. Afterward, potato peel sugars were extracted by dilute acid and enzymatic hydrolysis and then employed as a cost-effective carbon source for the growth of S. zooepidemicus. Based on the results, the fermentation process yielded 0.59 g/L HA from potato peel sugars through acid hydrolysis and 0.92 g/L HA from those released by enzymatic hydrolysis. The supplementation of both hydrolyzates with glucose as an additional carbon source enhanced HA production to 0.95 g/L and 1.18 g/L using acidic and enzymatic hydrolyzates, respectively. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) turbidimetric method was used to evaluate the concentration of HA in the fermentation broth using the colorimetric method. Also, the peaks observed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that the exopolysaccharide (EPS) was composed of HA. These observations demonstrate that potato peel residues can be a novel alternative as a carbon source for the economical production of HA by S. zooepidemicus.

Development of a Green, Quick, and Efficient Method Based on Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Followed by HPLC-DAD for the Analysis of Bioactive Glycoalkaloids in Potato Peel Waste

α-Solanine and α-chaconine are the two most predominant glycoalkaloids (GAs) present in potato. Potato peel contains a high concentration of GAs, which are especially interesting for application in the pharmaceutical industry due to their different beneficial properties (such as anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antipyretic, antiviral, fungicide, and antibiotic activities, among others); so, potato peel waste can be valorized by extracting these biologically active compounds. For this, a green, quick, and efficient miniaturized analytical approach based on ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) combined with HPLC-DAD was developed to quantify α-solanine and α-chaconine in potato peel. Some parameters of the extraction were optimized, including the extraction method, the type of solvent, and the sample/solvent ratio, by a three-factor, three-level (33) full factorial experimental design. The optimal extraction conditions were obtained with UAE using methanol as a solvent and a sample/solvent ratio of 1:10 (w/v, g/mL). The analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (AGREEprep) tool was used to assess the greenness of the methods used. The tool revealed an acceptable green analysis, with 0.61 points. The method was validated and applied to the evaluation of GAs in the peel of 15 commercial varieties of potato. The amount of glycoalkaloids found in the samples evaluated ranged from 143 to 1273 mg/kg and from 117 to 1742 mg/kg dry weight for α-solanine and α-chaconine, respectively. These results reveal the important variability that exists between potato varieties; so, their analysis is of great importance to select the most suitable ones for biovalorization (e.g., the Amandine and Rudolph varieties, with around 3000 mg/kg, in total, of both GAs). To provide higher stability to the peel during storage, freeze-drying or a medium-temperature drying process resulted preferable to avoid GA degradation. Overall, this study will contribute to the expansion of the future biovalorization of potato peel waste as well as provide a powerful analytical tool for GA analysis.

An appraisal of traditional knowledge of plant poisoning of livestock and its validation through acute toxicity assay in rats

Background: Kashmir Himalaya hosts the most diverse and rich flora in the world, which serves as grazing land for millions of small ruminants in the area. While most plant species are beneficial, some can be poisonous, causing economic losses and animal health issues for livestock. Consequently, this study is the first comprehensive report on the traditional phyto-toxicological knowledge in District Muzaffarabad and the assessment of its authenticity through experimental studies in rats. Methods: The data regarding traditional knowledge was gathered from 70 key respondents through semi-structured interviews, which was quantitatively analyzed and authenticated through plant extract testing on Wistar female rats and comparison with published resources. Results: A total of 46 poisonous plant species belonging to 23 families and 38 genera were reported to be poisonous in the study area. Results revealed that leaves were the most toxic plant parts (24 species, 52.1%), followed by the whole plant (18 species, 39.1%), stem (17 species, 36.9%), and seeds (10 species, 21.7%). At the organ level, liver as most susceptible affected by 13 species (28.2%), followed by the gastrointestinal tract (15 species, 32.6%), nervous system (13 species, 8.2%), dermis (8 species, 17.3%), renal (7 species, 15.2%), respiratory (4 species, 8.7%), cardiovascular system (3 species, 6.5%), and reproductive system (2 species, 4.3%). The poisonous plant species with high Relative frequency citation (RFC) and fidelity level (FL) were Nerium oleander (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100), Lantana camara (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100), and Ricinus communis (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100). Experimental assessment of acute toxicity assay in rats revealed that Nerium oleander was the most toxic plant with LD50 of (4,000 mg/kg), trailed by Ricinus communis (4,200 mg/kg), L. camara (4,500 mg/kg), and Datura stramonium (4,700 mg/kg); however, other plants showed moderate to mild toxicity. The major clinical observations were anorexia, piloerection, dyspnea, salivation, tachypnea, constipation, diarrhea, tremor, itchiness, and dullness. Conclusion: This study showed that numerous poisonous plants pose a significant risk to the livestock industry within Himalayan territory, leading to substantial economic losses. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to conduct further comprehensive studies on the phytotoxicity of plants.

The Therapeutic Value of Solanum Steroidal (Glyco)Alkaloids: A 10-Year Comprehensive Review

Steroidal (glycol)alkaloids S(G)As are secondary metabolites made of a nitrogen-containing steroidal skeleton linked to a (poly)saccharide, naturally occurring in the members of the Solanaceae and Liliaceae plant families. The genus Solanum is familiar to all of us as a food source (tomato, potato, eggplant), but a few populations have also made it part of their ethnobotany for their medicinal properties. The recent development of the isolation, purification and analysis techniques have shed light on the structural diversity among the SGAs family, thus attracting scientists to investigate their various pharmacological properties. This review aims to overview the recent literature (2012-2022) on the pharmacological benefits displayed by the SGAs family. Over 17 different potential therapeutic applications (antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, etc.) were reported over the past ten years, and this unique review analyzes each pharmacological effect independently without discrimination of either the SGA's chemical identity or their sources. A strong emphasis is placed on the discovery of their biological targets and the subsequent cellular mechanisms, discussing in vitro to in vivo biological data. The therapeutic value and the challenges of the solanum steroidal glycoalkaloid family is debated to provide new insights for future research towards clinical development.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Chlorogenic Acid from Potato Sprout Waste and Enhancement of the In Vitro Total Antioxidant Capacity

Potato sprouts, an underutilized by-product of potato processing, could be exploited for the recovery of caffeoyl-quinic acids (CQAs), a family of polyphenols with well-recognized biological activities. In this work, the predominant compound of this class, 5-CQA, was extracted by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) under conditions optimized by an Experimental Design. The investigated variables solid/solvent ratio (1:10-1:50 g/mL), water content in ethanol (30-100% v/v) and UAE time (5-20 min) highlighted a critical influence of the last two factors on the extraction efficiency: extracts richer in 5-CQA were obtained with lower water content (30%) and time (5 min). The addition of ascorbic acid (1.7 mM) as anti-browning agent to the extraction solvent improved the extraction efficiency of 5-CQA compared to acetic and citric acids (3158.71 μg/mL, 1766.71 μg/mL, 1468.20 μg/mL, respectively). A parallel trend for the three acids and an increase in 5-CQA recovery was obtained with the use of freeze-dried sprouts (4980.05 μg/mL, 4795.62, 4211.25 μg/mL, respectively). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in vitro demonstrated UAE being a more valuable technique than conventional maceration. Furthermore, three-times-higher values of TPC (7.89 mg GAE/g) and TAC (FRAP: 24.01 mg TE/g; DPPH: 26.20 mg TE/g; ABTS 26.72 mg TE/g) were measured for the optimized extract compared to the initial one. An HPLC-DAD method was applied to monitor 5-CQA recovery, while an LC-HRMS/MS investigation allowed us to perform analyte identity confirmation along with detection of the glycoalkaloids α-solanine and α-chaconine. This evidence underlines the necessity to develop purification strategies in order to maximize the potential of potato sprout waste as a source of 5-CQA.

Solanaceae glycoalkaloids: α-solanine and α-chaconine modify the cardioinhibitory activity of verapamil

CONTEXT

Solanaceae glycoalkaloids (SGAs) possess cardiomodulatory activity.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the potential interaction between verapamil and glycoalkaloids.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The cardioactivity of verapamil and glycoalkaloids (α-solanine and α-chaconine) was tested in adult beetle (Tenebrio molitor) myocardium in vitro using microdensitometric methods. The myocardium was treated with pure substances and mixtures of verapamil and glycoalkaloids for 9 min with saline as a control. Two experimental variants were used: simultaneous application of verapamil and glycoalkaloids or preincubation of the myocardium with one of the compounds followed by perfusion with a verapamil solution. We used 9 × 10^-6-5 × 10^-5 M and 10^-9-10^-5 M concentration for verapamil and glycoalkaloids, respectively.

RESULTS

Verapamil, α-solanine and α-chaconine showed cardioinhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values equal to 1.69 × 10^-5, 1.88 × 10^-7 and 7.48 × 10^-7 M, respectively. When the glycoalkaloids were applied simultaneously with verapamil, an antagonistic effect was observed with a decrease in the maximal inhibitory effect and prolongation of t₅₀ and the recovery time characteristic of verapamil. We also confirmed the expression of two transcript forms of the gene that encodes the α1 subunit of L-type calcium channels in the myocardium and brain with equal transcription levels of both forms in the myocardium and significant domination of the shorter form in the brain of the insect species tested.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The results show that attention to the composition of the daily diet during therapy with various drugs is particularly important. In subsequent studies, the nature of interaction between verapamil and SGAs on the molecular level should be checked, and whether this interaction decreases the efficiency of cardiovascular therapy with verapamil in humans.

Antifungal Activity of Datura stramonium L. Extractives against Xylophagous Fungi

Some plants have great resistance against herbivores, invertebrates, insects, bacteria, and fungi. This resistance is mostly present in plants containing alkaloids, which are the substances responsible for giving them defensive properties. The genus Datura contains tropane alkaloids and all plants from this genus have defensive properties. In this work, we report the toxic effect against fungi of Datura stramonium extracts, obtained by the Petri dish method. The extraction solvents were water, ethanol, 2-propanol, n-butanol, propanone, butanone, 3-methyl-2-pentanone, dichloromethane, xylene, and toluene. The test fungi were Trametes versicolor (L. ex. Fr) Pilát and Rhodonia placenta (Fr.) Niemelä, K.H.Larss. & Schigel. It was found that water, butanone, and toluene extracts promoted mycelial growth, xylene extracts neither inhibited nor promoted mycelial growth, while the other extracts slightly inhibited the growth of these fungi.

Comparative Study of Corrosion Inhibition Efficacy of Alkaloid Extract of Artemesia vulgaris and Solanum tuberosum in Mild Steel Samples in 1 M Sulphuric Acid

Two different types of alkaloids are successfully extracted from two plants Artemisia vulgaris (AV) and Solanum tuberosum (ST) in the laboratory and used as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel samples. The corrosion inhibition potential of these alkaloids is determined by weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization measurement methods. Based on the weight loss measurement study of a sample immersed for 6 h in 1000 ppm inhibitor solution of AV and ST alkaloids, the corrosion inhibition efficiency is found to be 92.58% and 90.79%, respectively. The potentiodynamic polarization measurement shows 88.06% and 83.22% corrosion inhibition efficiency for AV and ST alkaloids, respectively, for the sample immersed for 1 h in 1000 ppm inhibitor solution. These promising efficiency and suitable immersion time effect can lead to the development of good green inhibitors.

1H-NMR and LC-MS Based Metabolomics Analysis of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivars Irrigated with Fly Ash Treated Acid Mine Drainage

1H NMR and LC-MS, commonly used metabolomics analytical platforms, were used to annotate the metabolites found in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) irrigated with four different treatments based on FA to AMD ratios, namely: control (0% AMD; tap water), 1:1 (50% AMD), 3:1 (75% AMD is 75% FA: AMD), and 100% AMD (untreated). The effects of stress on plants were illustrated by the primary metabolite shifts in the region from δH 0.0 to δH 4.0 and secondary metabolites peaks were prominent in the region ranging from δH 4.5 to δH 8.0. The 1:3 irrigation treatment enabled, in two potato cultivars, the production of significantly high concentrations of secondary metabolites due to the 75% FA: AMD content in the irrigation mixture, which induced stress. The findings suggested that 1:1 irrigation treatment induced production of lower amounts of secondary metabolites in all crops compared to crops irrigated with untreated acid mine drainage treatment and with other FA-treated AMD solutions.

Glycoalkaloids of Plants in the Family Solanaceae (Nightshade) as Potential Drugs

Worldwide interest in medicinal plants and related drugs is growing because of the increased spectrum of new synthetic drugs. In this context, secondary plant metabolites are most significant. This review analyzes data on the structures and biosyntheses of metabolites such as glycoalkaloids; methods for their extraction from plants of the family Solanaceae, particularly potato S. tuberosum; their qualitative and quantitative analysis; biological activity; and toxicity. This information could be useful in the selection of methods for sample preparation and extraction of glycoalkaloids during the search for new plant sources with prospects of creating effective and safe pharmacological agents.

Chemical and structural quality traits during postharvest ripening regulated by chromosome segments from a wild relative of tomato Solanum pennellii IL4-2 and IL5-1

Tomato is usually harvested at an early ripening stage with high firmness suitable for storage and transportation but lacks many quality parameters such as sugars, organic acids, and phenolics. In a recent study, we have selected introgression lines (ILs) IL4-2 and IL5-1, developed from a cross between the Solanum pennellii and the Solanum lycopersicum M82, that exhibit differentiated postharvest shelf-life characteristics in the fruit compared to M82 and the rest of the ILs. Here, we first structurally and biochemically characterized IL4-2, IL5-1, and their parent M82 to decipher the cell wall mechanistic difference between soft (IL4-2) and firm (IL5-1) lines at two postharvest ripening periods. Generally, IL4-2 had more active cell wall modifications in terms of ripening-related gene expression, water-soluble pectin, and cell wall structure under the microscope, which probably makes this line softer than IL5-1. We also evaluated these lines based on commercial quality parameters, sugars, phenolics, organic, and amino acids to gain insight into their commercial and functional quality and reveal noticeable differences. In summary, the contribution of the S. pennellii IL5-1 and IL4-2 to the shelf life of the tomato was structurally characterized, and the component differences meeting the quality criteria were revealed.

Bread Fortified with Cooked Purple Potato Flour and Citrus Albedo: An Evaluation of Its Compositional and Sensorial Properties

This research aimed to explore the feasibility of fortifying bread with cooked Vitelotte potato powder and Citrus albedo, comparing the use of baker's yeast or sourdough as leavening agents. Breads obtained were thus subjected to physico-chemical and sensory characterizations. The replacement of part of the wheat flour with purple potato and albedo determined a significant enhancement of the phenolic profile and antioxidant status of fortified breads, as well as a longer shelf life. Thanks to its acidity and antimicrobial activity, sourdough improved the levels of health-promoting compounds and stability. Both the fortification and the leavening agent deeply affected the organoleptic, expression, and the aroma profile, of the fortified bread. Interestingly, albedo addition, despite its effectiveness in boosting the phenolic profile, determined a higher perception of aftertaste and bitterness, irrespective of the leavening agent. Based on these results, the use of purple potatoes and Citrus albedo, if properly formulated, could represent a valuable strategy for the development of high-quality products, with longer shelf-life.

Sustainable Use of Bioactive Compounds from Solanum Tuberosum and Brassicaceae Wastes and by-Products for Crop Protection-A Review

Defatted seed meals of oleaginous Brassicaceae, such as Eruca sativa, and potato peel are excellent plant matrices to recover potentially useful biomolecules from industrial processes in a circular strategy perspective aiming at crop protection. These biomolecules, mainly glycoalkaloids and phenols for potato and glucosinolates for Brassicaceae, have been proven to be effective against microbes, fungi, nematodes, insects, and even parasitic plants. Their role in plant protection is overviewed, together with the molecular basis of their synthesis in plant, and the description of their mechanisms of action. Possible genetic and biotechnological strategies are presented to increase their content in plants. Genetic mapping and identification of closely linked molecular markers are useful to identify the loci/genes responsible for their accumulation and transfer them to elite cultivars in breeding programs. Biotechnological approaches can be used to modify their allelic sequence and enhance the accumulation of the bioactive compounds. How the global challenges, such as reducing agri-food waste and increasing sustainability and food safety, could be addressed through bioprotector applications are discussed here.

Effects of plants extracts on the expression of major genes of JAK/STAT pathway

This study analyzed the effects of the plant extracts (Citrus limon, Solanum lycopersicum, Zingiber officinale, Vitis vinifera and Allium sativum) on the growth of mammalian cells (Vero and MDA-MB-231) and evaluated the most effective plant extract for the expression of specific genes of the JAK/STAT pathway in human breast cancer cells. An antiproliferative bioassay involving neutral red-dye uptake was used to determine the anticancerous potential of plant extracts. In Vero cells, the ginger methanolic extract was least effective; whereas the lemon methanolic extract was more effective with 64 dilutions with IC₅₀ 51.42%. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the tomato and ginger methanolic, and grape water extracts were least effective, whereas lemon water extract was most effective with 32 dilutions with IC₅₀ 48.67%, by upregulating JAK1, JAK2, TYK2, IRF7 and IRF3 gene expressions of the JAK/STAT pathway. C. limon inhibited the growth of both Vero and MDA-MB 231 cells. It suggested that C. limon has anti-cancer potential by inducing the JAK/STAT pathway.

Biological performance and oviposition preference of tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta when offered a range of Solanaceous host plants

The tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechuidae) is native to South America and has now become the main tomato pest in Europe, Africa and Asia. The wide range of host plants attacked by this pest has been reported as one of the main reasons for the success of this important insect species. However, the information currently available on the biological performance of T. absoluta on Solanaceae has been obtained from a limited number of host species. The Solanaceae family is composed of thousands of species, many of which are potential hosts for T. absoluta. Our results showed that the highest oviposition rates occurred on cultivated tomato plants, potato and wild tomato. The lowest rates occurred on “gilo”, “jurubeba”, green pepper and pepper. The highest survival rates of the immature stages occurred on potato and the lowest on pepper, green pepper and “jurubeba”. Female fertility, following infestation of the different plant species, was highest for insects that developed on tomato or potato and the lowest rates were seen on American black nightshade. The net reproductive rate and the intrinsic growth rate were highest on potato and tomato. Cluster analysis grouped tomato and potato as highly susceptible to attack, American black nightshade, juá, eggplant, gilo and wild tomato as moderately susceptible, whilst pepper, green pepper and jurubeba were categorized as resistant to T. absoluta. These results clearly demonstrate that the choice of solanaceous host plant species has a direct impact on the fitness parameters of the tomato pinworm as well as survival potential, dispersion and establishment at new sites. These results are important for the planning of integrated pest management strategies.

Identification of Novel Iso-Esculeoside B from Tomato Fruits and LC-MS/MS-Based Food Screening for Major Dietary Steroidal Alkaloids Focused on Esculeosides

Plants from the Solanaceae family are known to be sources of several nutritionally relevant steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs). With the aim of quantitatively investigating the occurrence of the main SGA from tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes in various food samples and evaluating their relevance in the human diet, a rapid single-step extraction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed. Over the course of isolating several commercially unavailable SGAs from tomato products to use them as reference standards, a previously unknown derivative was detected, structurally characterized, and identified as a novel isomer of esculeoside B-1 and B-2. After validation of the method, 36 food items exclusively derived from Solanaceae plants were analyzed for their SGA contents and a specific occurrence of each alkaloid in tomato, eggplant, or potato products was revealed. This is the first study reporting quantitative data on the occurrence of esculeoside A, B-1, B-2, and iso-esculeoside B in tomato products obtained by using appropriate reference compounds rather than applying a semi-quantitative approach based on α-tomatine as a reference. Some of the analyzed tomato products contained the esculeosides in concentrations of >500 mg/kg, clearly indicating their relevance in the human diet and the need of investigating their potential bioactivities in the future.

Datura quids at Pinwheel Cave, California, provide unambiguous confirmation of the ingestion of hallucinogens at a rock art site

Proponents of the altered states of consciousness (ASC) model have argued that hallucinogens have influenced the prehistoric making of images in caves and rock shelters. However, the lack of direct evidence for the consumption of hallucinogens at any global rock art site has undermined the ASC model. We present the first clear evidence for the ingestion of hallucinogens at a rock art site, in this case, from Pinwheel Cave, California. Quids in the cave ceiling are shown to be Datura wrightii, a Native Californian entheogen, indicating that, rather than illustrating visual phenomena caused by the Datura, the rock paintings instead likely represent the plant and its pollinator, calling into question long-held assumptions about rock art and the ASC model.

While debates have raged over the relationship between trance and rock art, unambiguous evidence of the consumption of hallucinogens has not been reported from any rock art site in the world. A painting possibly representing the flowers of Datura on the ceiling of a Californian rock art site called Pinwheel Cave was discovered alongside fibrous quids in the same ceiling. Even though Native Californians are historically documented to have used Datura to enter trance states, little evidence exists to associate it with rock art. A multianalytical approach to the rock art, the quids, and the archaeological context of this site was undertaken. Liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC-MS) results found hallucinogenic alkaloids scopolamine and atropine in the quids, while scanning electron microscope analysis confirms most to be Datura wrightii. Three-dimensional (3D) analyses of the quids indicate the quids were likely masticated and thus consumed in the cave under the paintings. Archaeological evidence and chronological dating shows the site was well utilized as a temporary residence for a range of activities from Late Prehistory through Colonial Periods. This indicates that Datura was ingested in the cave and that the rock painting represents the plant itself, serving to codify communal rituals involving this powerful entheogen. These results confirm the use of hallucinogens at a rock art site while calling into question previous assumptions concerning trance and rock art imagery.

Simultaneous quantification of three tropane alkaloids in goji berries by cleanup of the graphene/hexagonal boron nitride hybrids and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method was established for simultaneous determination of atropine, anisodamine, and scopolamine in goji berries by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The graphene/hexagonal boron nitride hybrids were prepared and first applied as a cleanup adsorbent. Compared to classical cleanup adsorbent (C₁₈ ), the graphene/hexagonal boron nitride hybrids as adsorbent had better extraction efficiency for the detection of analytes. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed analytical method achieved satisfactory linearity (R²  > 0.995), and obtained desirable recoveries ranged from 77.4 to 94.0% with the relative standard deviation of 1.2-6.1% at the concentration levels of 3.2-13.4 µg/kg. The limits of quantitation of atropine, anisodamine, and scopolamine were, respectively, 3.2, 4.6, and 4.5 µg/kg with linearity ranged from 3.2 to 25.4 µg/kg. The modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample preparation with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully applied to evaluate the safety of goji berries collected from 30 plant areas in China, suggesting its applicability and suitability for the routine analysis of three tropane alkaloids in goji berries.

Risk assessment of glycoalkaloids in feed and food, in particular in potatoes and potato-derived products

The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of glycoalkaloids (GAs) in feed and food. This risk assessment covers edible parts of potato plants and other food plants containing GAs, in particular, tomato and aubergine. In humans, acute toxic effects of potato GAs (α-solanine and α-chaconine) include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For these effects, the CONTAM Panel identified a lowest-observed-adverse-effect level of 1 mg total potato GAs/kg body weight (bw) per day as a reference point for the risk characterisation following acute exposure. In humans, no evidence of health problems associated with repeated or long-term intake of GAs via potatoes has been identified. No reference point for chronic exposure could be identified from the experimental animal studies. Occurrence data were available only for α-solanine and α-chaconine, mostly for potatoes. The acute dietary exposure to potato GAs was estimated using a probabilistic approach and applying processing factors for food. Due to the limited data available, a margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied. The MOEs for the younger age groups indicate a health concern for the food consumption surveys with the highest mean exposure, as well as for the P95 exposure in all surveys. For adult age groups, the MOEs indicate a health concern only for the food consumption surveys with the highest P95 exposures. For tomato and aubergine GAs, the risk to human health could not be characterised due to the lack of occurrence data and the limited toxicity data. For horses, farm and companion animals, no risk characterisation for potato GAs could be performed due to insufficient data on occurrence in feed and on potential adverse effects of GAs in these species.

TOCOSH FLOUR (Solanum tuberosum L.): A Toxicological Assessment of Traditional Peruvian Fermented Potatoes

Potato tocosh is a naturally processed potato for nutritional and curative purposes from traditional Peruvian medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of tocosh flour (TF). For sub-acute toxicity, TF was administered orally to rats daily once a day for 28 days at doses of 1000 mg/kg body weight (BW). Animals were observed for general behaviors, mortality, body weight variations, and histological analysis. At the end of treatment, relative organ weights, histopathology, hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed. For acute toxicity, TF was administered orally to mice at doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg BW at a single dose in both sexes. Body weight, mortality, and clinical signs were observed for 14 days after treatment. The results of acute toxicity showed that the median lethal dose (LD50) value of TF is higher than 2000 g/kg BW but less than 5000 mg/Kg BW in mice. Death and toxicological symptoms were not found during the treatment. For sub-acute toxicity, we found that no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAEL) of TF in rats up to 1000 g/kg BW. There were statistically significant differences in body weight, and relative organ weight in the stomach and brain. No differences in hematological and biochemical parameters were observed when compared with the control group. For sub-acute toxicity, histopathological studies revealed minor abnormalities in liver and kidney tissues at doses of 5000 mg/Kg. Based on these results, TF is a traditional Peruvian medicine with high safety at up to 1000 mg/kg BW for 28 days in rats.

An allelic variant of GAME9 determines its binding capacity with the GAME17 promoter in the regulation of steroidal glycoalkaloid biosynthesis in tomato

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are cholesterol-derived molecules found in the family Solanaceae. SGA content varies among different plant species and varieties. However, the genetic mechanisms regulating SGA content remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that genetic variation in GLYCOALKALOID METABOLISM 9 (GAME9) is responsible for the variation in SGA content in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). During a sequential analysis we found a 1 bp substitution in the AP2/ERF binding domain of GAME9. The 1 bp substitution in GAME9 was significantly associated with high SGA content and determined the binding capacity of GAME9 with the promoter of GAME17, a core SGA biosynthesis gene. The high-SGA GAME9 allele is mainly present in S. pimpinellifolium and S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme populations and encodes a protein that can bind the GAME17 promoter. In contrast, the low-SGA GAME9 allele is mainly present in the big-fruited varieties of S. lycopersicum and encodes a protein that shows weak binding to the GAME17 promoter. Our findings provide new insight into the regulation of SGA biosynthesis and the factors that affect the accumulation of SGA in tomato.

Steroidal Glycoalkaloids: Isolation, Structure, Analysis, and Biosynthesis

In recent years, the steroidal glycoalkaloids have emerged as an important class of bioactive compounds. Their occurrence in a number of foods and their diverse biological activities has encouraged the development of more efficient procedures for their isolation, purification and analysis, and more sensitive methods of detection and structure determination. This review is mainly concerned with new approaches for the characterization of these metabolites. The formation of artifacts of isolation and purification is discussed. The limited information on their biosynthesis is summarized.

Electrostatic field-induced tip-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for direct analysis of raw food materials

Rapid characterization of metabolites and risk compounds such as chemical residues and natural toxins in raw food materials such as vegetables, meats, and edible living plants and animals plays an important part in ensuing food quality and safety. To rapidly characterize the analytes in raw food materials, it is essential to develop in situ method for directly analyzing raw food materials. In this work, raw food materials including biological tissues and living samples were placed between an electrode and mass spectrometric (MS) inlet under a strong electrostatic field; analytes were rapidly induced to generate electrospray ionization (ESI) from the sample tip by adding a drop of solvent onto the sample. Therefore, the electrostatic field-induced tip-ESI-MS allows raw samples to avoid contacting high voltage, and thus this method has the advantage for in vivo analysis of food living plants and animals. Metabolite profiling, residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, and natural toxins from raw food materials have been successfully detected. The analytical performances, including the linear ranges, sensitivity, and reproducibility, were investigated for direct sample analysis. The ionization mechanism of electrostatic field-induced tip-ESI was also discussed in this work.

Simultaneous quantification of atropine and scopolamine in infusions of herbal tea and Solanaceae plant material by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (tandem) mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Atropine (Atr) and scopolamine (Scp) are toxic secondary plant metabolites of species within the Solanaceae genus that can accidentally or intentionally reach the food store chain by inaccurate harvesting of any plant material, e.g. for herbal tea infusions. Ingestion may cause severe anticholinergic poisoning thus requiring risk-oriented determination in food and beverages. The suitability of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (tandem) mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF MS(/MS), should be characterized for simultaneous analysis.

METHODS

We herein present the first MALDI-TOF MS(/MS) procedure for quantitative determination of both alkaloids in herbal tea infusions and Solanaceae plant material. A standard additions procedure using triply deuterated Atr as internal standard was developed and validated.

RESULTS

Tropane alkaloids were detected without interferences and the standard additions procedure allowed reliable quantification. Intraday and interday precision were less than 17% and corresponding accuracies were between 77% and 112%. Limits of detection in the spotting solution were found at 5 ng/mL (Atr) and 0.5 ng/mL (Scp). The assay was applied to diverse tea infusions as well as to berries and leaves of deadly nightshade and angel's trumpet.

CONCLUSIONS

The usefulness of MALDI-TOF MS(/MS) for investigations of plant-derived samples to prove contaminations by small basic compounds was demonstrated. The elaborate procedure is reliable but quite laborious to obtain quantitative results, but MALDI-TOF MS(/MS) was also shown to be a valuable tool for rapid qualitative screening for Atr and Scp in plant extracts.

Phytochemical characterisation and bioactive properties of Solanum sodomaeum L. fruits at two stages of maturation

Introduction: Solanum sodomaeum L. has been observed to have several medicinal properties, in particular, in the treatment of several types of human skin cancer.

Objective: The influence of the maturation stage of S. sodomaeum fruits on the total lipid contents, fatty acid profiles, essential oil yields and compositions, as well as the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils, was investigated.

Methods: The fatty acid and essential oil constituents were identified using gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The antioxidant properties of essential oil and vegetal oil were assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and reducing power assays. The antibacterial activity of essential oil was tested using the disc diffusion assay for resistance in human pathogenic bacteria.

Results: Mature fruits showed higher total lipid content (17%) and were characterised by polyunsaturated fatty acids (53.87%), represented mainly by linoleic acid (53.11%). Similar yields of essential oils were detected for immature (0.43%) and mature (0.45%) fruits. Tetrahydronaphthalene (41.79%) was detected as the major essential oil component at the immature stage versus dihydrocoumarin pentane (18.27%), hexadecanoic acid (17.43%) and 2-undecanone (13.20%) in mature fruits. The DPPH test showed that essential oils had better antioxidant properties; however, the vegetal oils showed better performance in the reducing power assay. Moreover, the essential oil of S. sodomaeum mature fruits was active against bacterial strains.

Conclusions: S. sodomaeum fruits could be a valuable source of natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents.

New Polyhydroxylated Steroidal Saponins from Solanum paniculatum L. Leaf Alcohol Tincture with Antibacterial Activity against Oral Pathogens

Solanum paniculatum L. is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of liver and gastrointestinal disorders as well as for culinary purposes and beverage production. Fractionation of hydroalcoholic [ethanol (EtOH) 70%] tincture from S. paniculatum leaves led to the isolation of six new spirostanic saponins which included 6- O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 R,25 S)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (1), 6- O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 R,25 R)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (4), 3- O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 S,25 R)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (5), 3- O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,23 S,25 R)-3β,6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (6), 6- O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,25 S)-1β,3β,6α-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (7), and 6- O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1''→3')-β-d-quinovopyranosyl-(22 S,25 S)-3β,4β,6α-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane (8) together with two known spirostanic saponins (2, 3). The structures of these compounds were determined by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments in addition to high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) analyses. The 70% alcohol tincture, used as phytomedicine, exhibited promising activities against oral pathogens, including, Steptococcus sanguinis, St. oralis, St. mutans, St. mitis, and Lactobacillus casei with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 6.25 to 50 μg/mL. The saponin fraction, nonetheless, showed lower activity against all the strains tested (from 100 to >400 μg/mL).

The genus Datura L. (Solanaceae) in Mexico and Spain - Ethnobotanical perspective at the interface of medical and illicit uses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The different species of the genus Datura have been used traditionally by some pre-Columbian civilizations, as well as in medieval rituals linked to magic and witchcraft in both Mexico and Europe. It is also noteworthy the use of different alkaloids obtained from the plants for medicinal purposes in the treatment of various groups of diseases, especially of the respiratory and muscularskeletal systems.

AIM OF THE STUDY

A review of the ethnobotanical uses of the genus Datura in Mexico and Spain has been conducted. We focus on the medicinal and ritualistic uses included in modern ethnobotanical studies, emphasizing the historical knowledge from post-colonial American Codices and medieval European texts. Datura's current social emergency as a drug of recreation and leisure, as well as its link to crimes of sexual abuse is also considered. The work is completed with some notes about the distribution and ecology of the different species and a phytochemical and pharmacological review of Datura alkaloids, necessary to understand their arrival in Europe and the ethnobotanical uses made since then MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review and compilation of information on traditional medicinal uses of the genus has been carried out from the main electronic databases. Traditional volumes (codices) have also been consulted in libraries of different institutions. Consultations have been made with the National Toxicological Services of Spain and Mexico for toxicological data.

RESULTS

A total of 118 traditional uses were collected in both territories, 111 medicinal ones to be applied in 76 conditions or symptoms included in 13 pathological groups. Although there are particular medicinal uses in the two countries, we found up to 15 similar uses, of which 80% were previously mentioned in post-Colonial American codices. Applications in the treatment of asthma and rheumatism are also highlighted. Apart from medicinal uses, it is worth noting their cultural and social uses, in the case of Mexico relating to diseases such as being scared, astonishment or falling in love, and in the case of Spain, as a recreational drug and lately, for criminal purposes.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the variety of uses traditionally given to the different species in both territories. The fact that most of the coincident or similar uses in both countries also appear in the classical codices can be found an example of the flow, not only of the plants from America to Europe, but also of their associated information. It is also relevant that particular uses have derived in both countries, reflecting the difference in the cultural factors and traditions linked to rituals and cultural practices. Finally, the significant growth of Datura consumption in recent years as a drug of leisure and recreation, as well as in crimes of sexual submission, should be considered as research of maximum relevance in the field of forensic botany and toxicology.

α-Chaconine and α-Solanine Inhibit RL95-2 Endometrium Cancer Cell Proliferation by Reducing Expression of Akt (Ser473) and ERα (Ser167)

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential inhibitory effect of α-chaconine and α-solanine on RL95-2 estrogen receptor (ER) positive human endometrial cancer cell line and to identify the effect of these glycoalkaloids on the Akt signaling and ERα. The cell proliferation profiles and the cytotoxicity studies were performed by Real-Time Cell Analyzer (xCELLigence) and compared with Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay. The effects of α-chaconine (2.5, 5, 10 µM), α-solanine (20, 30, 50 µM), API-1 (25 µM) and MPP (20 µM) effects on Akt (Ser473) and ERα (Ser167) expressions evaluated by Western blot and qPCR method. Their IC₅₀ values were as α-chaconine (4.72 µM) < MPP (20.01 µM) < α-solanine (26.27 µM) < API-1 (56.67 µM). 10 μM α-chaconine and 20, 30 and 50 μM α-solanine were effective in decreasing p-Akt(Ser473)/Akt ratio compared to positive control API-1. When the p-ERα/ERα ratios were evaluated, it was observed that α-chaconine (2.5, 5, 10 μM) and α-solanine (50 μM) were as effective as the specific ERα inhibitor MPP in reducing the ratio of p-ERα/ERα compared to the control group. In conclusion, it has been shown that the proliferation of α-chaconine and α-solanine in human endometrial carcinoma cells reduces the expression and activity of the Akt and ERα signaling pathway.

The Effect of Tomatine on Gene Expression and Cell Monolayer Integrity in Caco-2

More understanding of the risk-benefit effect of the glycoalkaloid tomatine is required to be able to estimate the role it might play in our diet. In this work, we focused on effects towards intestinal epithelial cells based on a Caco-2 model in order to analyze the influence on the cell monolayer integrity and on the expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol/sterol biosynthesis (LDLR), lipid metabolism (NR2F2), glucose and amino acid uptake (SGLT1, PAT1), cell cycle (PCNA, CDKN1A), apoptosis (CASP-3, BMF, KLF6), tight junctions (CLDN4, OCLN2) and cytokine-mediated signaling (IL-8, IL1β, TSLP, TNF-α). Furthermore, since the bioactivity of the compound might vary in the presence of a food matrix and following digestion, the influence of both pure tomatine and in vitro digested tomatine with and without tomato fruit matrix was studied. The obtained results suggested that concentrations <20 µg/mL of tomatine, either undigested or in vitro digested, do not compromise the viability of Caco-2 cells and stimulate cytokine expression. This effect of tomatine, in vitro digested tomatine or in vitro digested tomatine with tomato matrix differs slightly, probably due to variations of bioactivity or bioavailability of the tomatine. The results lead to the hypothesis that tomatine acts as hormetic compound that can induce beneficial or risk toxic effects whether used in low or high dose.

The Impact of Steroidal Glycoalkaloids on the Physiology of Phytophthora infestans, the Causative Agent of Potato Late Blight

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are plant secondary metabolites known to be toxic to animals and humans and that have putative roles in defense against pests. The proposed mechanisms of SGA toxicity are sterol-mediated disruption of membranes and inhibition of cholinesterase activity in neurons. It has been suggested that phytopathogenic microorganisms can overcome SGA toxicity by enzymatic deglycosylation of SGAs. Here, we have explored SGA-mediated toxicity toward the invasive oomycete Phytophthora infestans, the causative agent of the late blight disease in potato and tomato, as well as the potential for SGA deglycosylation by this species. Our growth studies indicate that solanidine, the nonglycosylated precursor of the potato SGAs α-chaconine and α-solanine, has a greater physiological impact than its glycosylated forms. All of these compounds were incorporated into the mycelium, but only solanidine could strongly inhibit the growth of P. infestans in liquid culture. Genes encoding several glycoside hydrolases with potential activity on SGAs were identified in the genome of P. infestans and were shown to be expressed. However, we found no indication that deglycosylation of SGAs takes place. We present additional evidence for apparent host-specific adaptation to potato SGAs and assess all results in terms of future pathogen management strategies.

Two new defensive constituents from potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum)

Two new defensive constituents, solatuberenol A (1) and 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl stigmasta-5(6),24(28)-diene (2), were isolated from the potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) infected with late blight disease. Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HRMS, IR, UV, 1D/2D NMR, ECD and quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate activity against Phytophthora infestans with mycelia-growth inhibition of 30.1% and 52.4%, respectively, at the concentration of 500 ppm.

Antifungal activity of secondary plant metabolites from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.): Glycoalkaloids and phenolic acids show synergistic effects

AIMS

To study the antifungal effects of the potato secondary metabolites α-solanine, α-chaconine, solanidine and caffeic acid, alone or combined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Resistance to glycoalkaloids varied among the fungal species tested, as derived from minimum inhibitory concentrations assays. Synergistic antifungal activity between glycoalkaloids and phenolic compounds was found. Changes in the fluidity of fungal membranes caused by potato secondary plant metabolites were determined by calculation of the generalized polarization values. The results partially explained the synergistic effect between caffeic acid and α-chaconine and supported findings on membrane disruption mechanisms from previous studies on artificial membranes. LC/MS analysis was used to determine variability and relative amounts of sterols in the different fungal species. Results suggested that the sterol pattern of fungi is related to their resistance to potato glycoalkaloids and to their taxonomy.

CONCLUSION

Fungal resistance to α-chaconine and possibly other glycoalkaloids is species dependent. α-Chaconine and caffeic acid show synergistic antifungal activity. The taxonomic classification and the sterol pattern play a role in fungal resistance to glycoalkaloids.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Results improve the understanding of the antifungal mode of action of potato secondary metabolites, which is essential for their potential utilization as antifungal agents in nonfood systems.

A review of Occurrence of Glycoalkaloids in Potato and potato products

There has been increasing consumption of potato products such as French fries and crisps in most countries as a result of lifestyle change in both developed and developing countries. Due to their generally pleasurable taste and texture, they are appreciated by a high number of consumers across the world, with the younger members of the population mostly those in the urban areas having a higher preference. The hard economic situations have also driven many people to their consumption as they are affordable. Moreover, these products are convenient for the younger generation who do not prepare their own food. However, there have been food safety concerns that have been linked in the past to glycoalkaloids in the raw potatoes that are used for processing. Potatoes are known to accumulate glycoalkaloids (GAs) during growth and postharvest storage. Some potato varieties have been shown to have high glycoalkaloids. These toxicants have been found to bioaccumulate in the body especially if daily consumption of foods containing the glycoalkaloids are consumed. Glycoalkaloids lead to intestinal discomfort, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and neurological problems and can lead to human or animal deaths in cases of acute toxicity. Transportation, handling, poor storage and exposure to sunlight during marketing of potatoes exposes consumers to potential risk of glycoalkaloids due to injury and greening which lead to increased levels of glycoalkaloids. Glycoalkaloids are quite stable and therefore, freeze-drying, boiling, dehydration or microwaving have got limited effect and thus persist through the processing conditions into the final products with the levels being proportional to the concentrations in the raw materials used. This current review focuses on the occurrence of glycoalkakloids in potato and potato products that are commonly consumed.

Antiprotozoal Effects of the Tomato Tetrasaccharide Glycoalkaloid Tomatine and the Aglycone Tomatidine on Mucosal Trichomonads

The present study investigated the inhibitory effects of the commercial tetrasaccharide tomato glycoalkaloid tomatine and the aglycone tomatidine on three mucosal pathogenic protozoa that are reported to infect humans, cattle, and cats, respectively: Trichomonas vaginalis strain G3, Tritrichomonas foetus strain D1, and Tritrichomonas foetus strain C1. A preliminary screen showed that tomatine at 100 μM concentration completely inhibited the growth of all three trichomonads. In contrast, the inhibition of all three pathogens by tomatidine was much lower, suggesting the involvement of the lycotetraose carbohydrate side chain in the mechanism of inhibition. Midpoints of concentration-response sigmoid plots of tomatine on the three strains correspond to IC₅₀ values, the concentration that inhibits 50% of growth of the pathogenic protozoa. The concentration data were used to calculate the IC₅₀ values for G3, D1, and C1 of 7.9, 1.9, and 2.2 μM, respectively. The results show an approximately 4-fold variation from the lowest to the highest value (lowest activity). Although the inhibition by tomatine was not as effective as that of the medicinal drug metronidazole, the relatively low IC₅₀ values for both T. vaginalis and T. foetus indicated tomatine as a possible natural alternative therapeutic for trichomoniasis in humans and food-producing (cattle and pigs) and domestic (cats) animals. Because tomatine has the potential to serve as a new antiprotozoan functional (medical) food, the distribution of this glycoalkaloid in tomatoes and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Detoxification and function of immature tomato

α-Tomatine and chlorophyll (a and b) decreased, and β-carotene and lycopene increased with ripening of tomatoes. α-Tomatine was localised in peel of immature green tomatoes. The dose-response curve of α-tomatine determined by WST-1 (water soluble tetrazolium) assay was the same as that by LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assay, suggesting that the cytotoxicity of α-tomatine depends on the destruction of plasma membrane. Immature green tomatoes had little cytotoxic effect after one month-incubation with 25% ethanol or 4.5% acetate at 7°C, and α-tomatine was decomposed by crude enzymes extracted from immature green tomatoes. Immature green tomatoes incubated with 4.5% acetic acid inhibited the accumulation of lipid in adipocytes. From the above facts the detoxification and the anti-obesity effect of immature green tomatoes are expected to be controlled by the removal of peel, the enzymatic decomposition or the incubation with 4.5% acetate or 25% ethanol.

Integrated RNA-seq and sRNA-seq analysis reveals miRNA effects on secondary metabolism in Solanum tuberosum L

Light is a major environmental factor that affects metabolic pathways and stimulates the production of secondary metabolites in potato. However, adaptive changes in potato metabolic pathways and physiological functions triggered by light are partly explained by gene expression changes. Regulation of secondary metabolic pathways in potato has been extensively studied at transcriptional level, but little is known about the mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs. To identify light-responsive miRNAs/mRNAs and construct putative metabolism pathways regulated by the miRNA-mRNA pairs, an integrated omics (sRNAome and transcriptome) analysis was performed to potato under light stimulus. A total of 31 and 48 miRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed in the leaves and tubers, respectively. Among the DEGs, 1353 genes in the leaves and 1841 genes in the tubers were upregulated, while 1595 genes in the leaves and 897 genes in the tubers were downregulated by light. Mapman enrichment analyses showed that genes related to MVA pathway, alkaloids-like, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and carotenoids metabolism were significantly upregulated, while genes associated with major CHO metabolism were repressed in the leaves and tubers. Integrated miRNA and mRNA profiles revealed that light-responsive miRNAs are important regulators in alkaloids metabolism, UMP salvage, lipid biosynthesis, and cellulose catabolism. Moreover, several miRNAs may participate in glycoalkaloids metabolism via JA signaling pathway, UDP-glucose biosynthesis and hydroxylation reaction. This study provides a global view of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in potato response to light, our results suggest that miRNAs might play important roles in secondary metabolic pathways, especially in glycoalkaloid biosynthesis. The findings will enlighten us on the genetic regulation of secondary metabolite pathways and pave the way for future application of genetically engineered potato.

Solanum nigrum Protects against Hepatic Fibrosis via Suppression of Hyperglycemia in High-Fat/Ethanol Diet-Induced Rats

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) signal through the receptor for AGE (RAGE), which can lead to hepatic fibrosis in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. We investigated the inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts from Solanum nigrum (AESN) on AGEs-induced RAGE signaling and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hyperglycemia induced by high-fat diet with ethanol. Methods: An animal model was used to evaluate the anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of AESN in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD; 30%) with ethanol (10%). Male Wistar rats (4 weeks of age) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): (1) control (basal diet); (2) HFD (30%) + ethanol (10%) (HFD/ethanol); (3) HFD/ethanol + AESN (100 mg/kg, oral administration); and (4) HFD/ethanol + pioglitazone (10 mg/kg, oral administration) and treated with HFD for 6 months in the presence or absence of 10% ethanol in dietary water. Results: We found that AESN improved insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, and downregulated lipogenesis via regulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), PPARγ co-activator (PGC-1α), carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA levels in the liver of HFD/ethanol-treated rats. In turn, AESN may delay and inhibit the progression of hepatic fibrosis, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) inhibition and MMP-2 production. Conclusions: These results suggest that AESN may be further explored as a novel anti-fibrotic strategy for the prevention of liver disease.

Is the Performance of a Specialist Herbivore Affected by Female Choices and the Adaptability of the Offspring?

The performance of herbivorous insects is related to the locations of defenses and nutrients found in the different plant organs on which they feed. In this context, the females of herbivorous insect species select certain parts of the plant where their offspring can develop well. In addition, their offspring can adapt to plant defenses. A system where these ecological relationships can be studied occurs in the specialist herbivore, Tuta absoluta, on tomato plants. In our experiments we evaluated: (i) the performance of the herbivore T. absoluta in relation to the tomato plant parts on which their offspring had fed, (ii) the spatial distribution of the insect stages on the plant canopy and (iii) the larval resistance to starvation and their walking speed at different instar stages. We found that the T. absoluta females preferred to lay their eggs in the tomato plant parts where their offspring had greater chances of success. We verified that the T. absoluta females laid their eggs on both sides of the leaves to better exploit resources. We also observed that the older larvae (3rd and 4th instars) moved to the most nutritious parts of the plant, thus increasing their performance. The T. absoluta females and offspring (larvae) were capable of identifying plant sites where their chances of better performance were higher. Additionally, their offspring (larvae) spread across the plant to better exploit the available plant nutrients. These behavioral strategies of T. absoluta facilitate improvement in their performance after acquiring better resources, which help reduce their mortality by preventing the stimulation of plant defense compounds and the action of natural enemies.

Chemistry and anticarcinogenic mechanisms of glycoalkaloids produced by eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes

Inhibition of cancer can occur via apoptosis, a genetically directed process of cell self-destruction that involves numerous biomarkers and signaling pathways. Glycoalkaloids are nitrogen-containing secondary plant metabolites found in numerous Solanaceous plants including eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes. Exposure of cancer cells to glycoalkaloids produced by eggplants (α-solamargine and α-solasonine), potatoes (α-chaconine and α-solanine), and tomatoes (α-tomatine) or their hydrolysis products (mono-, di-, and trisaccharide derivatives and the aglycones solasodine, solanidine, and tomatidine) inhibits the growth of the cells in culture (in vitro) as well as tumor growth in vivo. This overview comprehensively surveys and consolidates worldwide efforts to define the following aspects of these natural compounds: (a) their prevalence in the three foods; (b) their chemistry and structure-activity relationships; (c) the reported factors (biomarkers, signaling pathways) associated with apoptosis of bone, breast, cervical, colon, gastric, glioblastoma, leukemia, liver, lung, lymphoma, melanoma, pancreas, prostate, and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro and the in vivo inhibition of tumor formation and growth in fish and mice and in human skin cancers; and (d) future research needs. The described results may make it possible to better relate the structures of the active compounds to their health-promoting function, individually, in combination, and in food, and allow the consumer to select glycoalkaloid-containing food with the optimal content of nontoxic beneficial compounds. The described findings are expected to be a valuable record and resource for further investigation of the health benefits of food-related natural compounds.