BACKGROUND

Potato sprouts (Solanum tuberosum L.) contain steroidal glycoalkaloids containing solanidine, an important precursor for hormone synthesis. Glycoalkaloids are reported to inactivate the Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster and Herpes genitalis viruses in humans, while Aglyones, including solasodine, may protect against skin cancer. Extracts of glycoalkaloids or solanidine can be used to obtain a potential skin cancer preparation for clinical research.

METHODS

Dried potato sprouts were used to obtain glycoalkaloids and solanidine. The hydrolysis of glycoalkaloids in a liquid-liquid system was performed using a reflux condenser, obtaining extracts of glycolakaloids from dried and milled potato tuber sprouts. Hydrochloric acid was then added to the extract to form the first (aqueous) phase, and chloroform, trichloroethylene or carbon tetrachloride to form the second (organic) phase of the liquid-liquid system. In this way, glycoalkaloid hydrolysis to solanidine and solanidine extraction in the organic liquid phase were combined into a single step. IR and GC/MS analysis of solanidine was also conducted.

RESULTS

Based on the results we obtained, the optimal liquid-liquid system was found to be 2% w/v hydrochloric acid in a 50% (volume) methanolic extract of glycoalkaloids from tuber sprouts, as the first phase, and chloroform as the second phase. Using this system, a yield of 1.46 g solanidine per 100 g of dried potato sprouts can be achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

Glycoalkaloid hydrolysis in a liquid-liquid system yields the aglycone solanidine can be obtained from dried potato sprouts. The yield of solanidine is higher than that obtained using solid-liquid-liquid systems for glycoalkaloid hydrolysis from potato vines.