Vol. 11, Special Issue 10 (2022)

Solanum melongena (eggplant) is a vegetable crop. It has been grown in India for over 4,000 years. Brinjal fruit contains a variety of nutrients and is low in calories. Among them, one of the alkaloids is present in brinjal. The name is solanine. Solanine is a phytoalkaloid. Solanine is naturally produced in various crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal, berries, and capsicum. Alpha solanine is synthesized for plant protection in the nightshade family of Solanaceous. Steroidal glycoalkaloid is a poisonous substance when its quantity is higher. For example, in brinjal, 60 mg/100 g is considered poisonous. Normally, brinjal has less than 10 mg/100 g in its fruit. Solanine is present in fruits, tubers, and leaves. More than 10 mg/100 g alpha solanine produces a bitter taste and it may cause an allergic reaction in some people. It produces reversible cholinesterase activity (neuro damage) in human beings. Solanine has many beneficial effects on plants as well as on human beings. Sometimes it may cause ill effects on human beings. Solanine may be reduced in brinjal by different cooking processes, which are discussed below.