Metabolic Pathway of Solasodine Synthesis in Solanum Mammosum L. Fruits

Abstract

Distribution of metabolites in the developing fruits of Solanum mammosum was investigated by analysing and estimating the dry matter, primary metabolites such as sugars, starch, protein, amino acids and secondary metabolite solasodine. Fruits of different growth phases sampled at 5 comparable stages- starting from post anthesis to ripened stages were analysed by separating the fruit parts such as outer/ inner flesh and seeds. During fruit development III stage showed colour change of fruit wall, mucilaginous and chlorophyllous inner flesh and significant qualitative changes of metabolites. The role of primary metabolites in general and free amino acids and sugars in particular in the synthesis of solasodine in the developing fruits is discussed.