What is "chaconine"

n. (context organic compound English) A steroidal glycoalkaloid chemical compound found in plants of the family Solanaceae, responsible for the bitter taste of unripe potatoes.

α-Chaconine is a steroidal glycoalkaloid that occurs in plants of the Solanaceae family. It is a natural toxicant produced in green potatoes and gives the potato a bitter taste. Tubers produce this glycoalkaloid in response to stress, providing the plant with insecticidal and fungicidal properties.