Varietal and environmental effect on the glycoalkaloid content of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The tubers of 14 potato varieties were analysed for glycoalkaloids. The level of glycoalkaloids in tubers of all the varieties analysed are within the safe limits for human consumption. The peels of tuber contained about 60-70% of the total glycoalkaloids present in the whole tuber. The levels of glycoalkaloids in leaves and tubers were correlated (r = 0.865). There was a significant increase in the content of glycoalkaloids in peels of tubers exposed to sunlight. Glycoalkaloid contents increased at the rate of 1.9 mg/100 g fresh weight per day in peels of "Kufri Jyoti" tubers exposed to diffused sunlight.