Production of Solasodine for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Genotype-environment interaction in poroporo (Solanum aviculare)

“…One of the alternatives under investigation has been production of the steroidal alkaloid, solasodine -a nitrogen analogue of diosgenin -from various plant species (Mann 1978). The 7 presently recognised species of the subgenus Archaesolanum have been of particular interest, as they all contain solasodine glycosides in varying amounts (Bradley et al 1978;Briggs & Cambie 1958;Lewis & Liljegren 1970).…”

Arthropods and molluscs associated with poroporo (Solanum aviculareandS. laciniatum):an annotated species list

“…Green berries and leafy shoots of poroporo (Solanum aviculare Forster f and S lacimatum Alton (Solanaceae)) contain relatively high concentrations of the alkaloid solasodine, a potential precursor for the manufacture of pharmaceutical steroids The plant has been the subject of research in New Zealand and overseas (Mann 1979), and in 1976, a company, Solanum Extraction Industries Ltd, a joint venture between Diosynth and Fletcher Holdings, was established in New Zealand to grow poroporo and extract solasodine from leafy shoots (Anon 1979) The company ceased trading in 1983, but not specifically due to pest control problems New Zealand government scientists were instructed to provide research and technical advice to the company This included assistance with pest control Prior to the start of the project six insect and mite species were listed as pests of the crop They included one native species, a moth, Scehodes cotdahs (Doubleday) (Lepidoptera Crambidae) Larvae of the moth damaged young leafy shoots and were believed to be the most serious pest of poroporo From April 1976 to June 1983, the insects and mites associated with poroporo were observed in experimental plantings, commercial crops and on wild plants in their "natural" habitat In addition some of the pests were the subject of experiments designed to study their biology and develop control strategies The aim of the pest control programme was to identify potential pests and assess their importance, provide short-term solutions to control *New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd, Mount Albert Research Centre, Private Bag 92169, Auckland, New Zealand pests of concern to the company, and also to develop long-term minimal pesticide control strategies (i.e. integrated pest management or IPM).…”

Preliminary investigation into the solasodine yield fromSolanum aviculareandSolanum laciniatumat 5 sites in the North Island, New Zealand

“…The leaves of the native poroporo, Solanum aviculare and S. laciniatum, contain economically worthwhile concentrations of the steroidal alkaloid, solasodine (Mann 1978). Commercial extraction of solasodine began about 1976 near New Plymouth, Taranaki Province, on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, using S. aviculare (Anon.…”