Quantity assessment of polyphenols, glycoalkaloids and saponins in Solanum scabrum berries of different genetic sources and maturity by HPLC/UV–visible/MS methods

Abstract

BACKGROUND Solanum scabrum berries in sub‐Saharan Africa are prolific but neglected as an agricultural resource. Recognition and application of such underutilized resources rely on systematic study of the relevant phytochemicals of commercial value. RESULTS The quantities of a total of 54 phytochemicals in Solanum scabrum berries were assessed using HPLC‐MS methods. Berries from eight different genetic sources were analyzed with two entries monitored across different maturation stages. There was a significant variation among mature berries in the accumulation of phenolic acids, 91.5–794 mg·100 g−1 dry weight (DW); flavonols, 76.3–897 mg·100 g−1 DW; anthocyanins, 178–4650 mg·100 g−1 DW; glycoalkaloids, 1.76–1630 mg·100 g−1 DW; and saponins, 82.2–606 mg·100 g−1 DW. Fruit development from immature to post‐frost harvest featured dynamic changes in phytochemical composition and, despite remarkable differences in the absolute magnitude of content, the trend of change was generally similar in different genetic sources. CONCLUSIONS The genotype‐dependent difference in toxic glycoalkaloids in mature berries may partially explain the consumption controversy as it reflects glycoalkaloid content. The analytical methods applied in this work should serve for quality control of glycoalkaloids thereby improving the safe utilization of this berry. In addition, the selection and breeding of new genotypes with low and safe levels of glycoalkaloids and saponins in the berry could be of value in sub‐Saharan Africa to increase nutrition and generate new income opportunities for growers. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

African nightshades (Solanum nigrum complex): The potential contribution to human nutrition and livelihoods in sub‐Saharan Africa

“…Glycoalkaloid concentration is low in matured berries. Solanum scabrum mature berries contain up to 1500 mg of glycoalkaloids (Yuan et al., 2019). Such a high concentration of glycoalkaloids in berries could be essential for medicinal purposes (Al‐Ashaal, 2019).…”

Evaluation of Solanum linnaeanum and S. sisymbriifolium extracts for the management of Meloidogyne chitwoodi

“…Solasodine and its glycosides were detected in the selected aqueous extracts, S. linnaeanum root extract (Sl R) and Ss F , which have been shown to have nematicidal activity. The identification of these spirostane-type alkaloids was based on ions at m/z 415 (protonated molecule) and at m/z 253, 271 and 157 in MS2 and/or MS3 according to Yuan et al (2019) [ 42 ]. Therefore, in Ss F extract the solasodine and its glycoside solamargine were detected and their identification was confirmed by authentic standards.…”

Rapid screening of glycoalkaloids in Solanum scabrum and S. nigrum berries using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography with pathway‐specified in‐source fragmentation tandem mass spectrometry

“…Berries of two S. scabrum accessions, Ex Hai and BG 29 from the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg, Arusha, Tanzania) and two S. nigrum accessions, one from a private seed company (Simlaw Seeds, Nairobi, Kenya) and the other (PI 381289) from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Ames, IA, USA), were analyzed in this work. The samples originated from the same field trial as reported in the prior work 7,8 …”

“…In our recent study, the phytochemicals in SNBs were profiled using ion trap mass spectrometry (MS), revealing a wide range of toxic glycoalkaloids in SNBs, as illustrated in Figure 1 7 . The contents of glycoalkaloids were found to present as large as three orders of magnitude divergence across varied genetic lines, rendering SNBs deficient in glycoalkaloids safe for consumption while those high in glycoalkaloids toxic to consume 8 (also see Table S1, supporting information, for phytochemical profile in S. nigrum berries). As such, in places where SNBs are considered edible, it is of importance to understand the glycoalkaloid content and have a robust system of analysis and toxicity inspection, especially for those genetic lines and sources of materials originating from the wild harvest and/or landraces cultivated for production and marketing which have not yet been screened to ensure consumption safety.…”

“…To facilitate fulfillment of such purpose, and based on our prior studies, 9,10 this work proposed a new method for glycoalkaloid screening with significantly enhanced throughput and smoother workflow. Distinct from the prior untargeted profiling, we have developed a targeted analysis methodology specific to glycoalkaloids using triple quadruple mass spectrometry featuring pseudo ‐MS/MS/MS.…”