Total glycoalkaloid content of new potato cultivars

Abstract

Three recent cultivars of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), released by Crop Research Division (viz., 'Iwa', 'Tekau', and 'Kaituna'), together with 'Ham Hardy', were assayed for total glycoalkaloid content soon after harvest and after storage for 2, 4, and 6 months at 100e. Total glycoalkaloid contents were generally low but were doubled by exposure to light. Iwa had the highest level of glycoalkaloid but, even when green, its glycoalkaloid content was still well below the 20 mg/lOO g whole tuber level considered unsuitable for human consumption. Glycoalkaloid levels increased very slightly during storage.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids in tubers and leaves of Solanum species used in potato breeding

“…These steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGA) are natural toxins commonly present in potato varieties in concentrations of up to 100mg/kg (Sinden & Webb, 1974 ;Patchett et al ., 1977 ;Ross et al ., 1978 ;Parnell et al ., 1984 ; Van Gelder, 1985a ;Lammerink, 1985) . In this paper, contents are expressed as mg/kg fresh unpeeled tuber, unless otherwise stated .…”