Alkaloids in Solanum torvum Sw (Solanaceae)

Abstract

A comparison was made between plants of Solanum torvum Sw that grow in Chiapas, Mexico, and plants of the same species originating from India. This was effected to establish either similarities or differences between these plants in total alkaloid contents and presence of solasodine, an important alkaloid for the partial synthesis of steroids. The total alkaloid content (0.12%) of the plants coming from Chiapas and India was the same. However, solasodine was found only in the plants of Chiapas. In addition, the total amount of glycoalkaloids (0.038%) and two glycosilated compounds derived from solasodine, solasonine (0.0043%) and solamargine (0.0028%), were determined.