DETERMINATION OF -SOLANINE CONTENT IN TWO VARIETIES OF POTATOES BY THE DENSITOMETRIC METHOD

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid found in the Solanaceae family, such as the potato. It is very poisonous even in small quantities because it has pesticide and fungicide effects and represents a natural plant defense mechanism. Its concentration increases when the plant is exposed to the agents that can cause plant stress (fertilization, insecticide use, etc.). This paper aims to examine the influence of three cultivation systems (conventionally, organically and naturally) on the biosynthesis of α-solanine (αS) through his quantification in young potatoes using densitometry. Two varieties of potatoes were analyzed: Aladdin (Ala) and Mona Lisa (MoL). For statistical analysis, the Student's t-test was used. The results showed that the use of artificial insecticides caused a very intense biosynthesis of αS in the conventionally grown Ala variety (1.19 mg/100 g of fresh tubers (f.t.)) in comparison to the average α-solanine content (AαSC) by the organically grown Ala (0.62 mg/100 gf.t.) (it is close to the statistical significance, (p=0.08)). It is difficult to explain the very high AαSC of natural Ala cultivation (1.62 mg/100 gf.t.). Analysis of potatoes of the MoL variety showed that the AαSC of conventionally grown potatoes (1.35 mg/100 gf.t.) was statistically higher than the AαSC of naturally grown potatoes (0.59 mg/100 g of f.t.) (p<0.05). Also, AαSC of the organically grown MoL (1.40 mg/100 gf.t.) was higher than the AαSC of naturally grown MoL, but without statistical significance (p>0.05). Concentrations of αS founded in the case of conventionally, organically and naturally grown potatoes are considered safe and such potatoes are suitable for consumption. However, because of a slight reduction in toxic αS, it is recommended to consume organically grown potatoes (Ala variety), and naturally grown potatoes (MoL variety).