What is "solanine"

Solanine \Sol"a*nine\, n. [L. solanum nightshade.] (Chem.) A poisonous alkaloid glucoside extracted from the berries of common nightshade ( Solanum nigrum), and of bittersweet, and from potato sprouts, as a white crystalline substance having an acrid, burning taste; -- called also solonia, and solanina.

n. (context organic compound English) A poisonous glycoalkaloid found in many species of the nightshade family.

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison found in species of the nightshade family ( Solanaceae), such as the potato (Solanum tuberosum), the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and the eggplant (Solanum melongena). It can occur naturally in any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruit, and tubers. Solanine has pesticidal properties, and it is one of the plant's natural defenses. Solanine was first isolated in 1820 from the berries of the European black nightshade ( Solanum nigrum), after which it was named.