Preparative isolation ofSolanum tuberosum L. glycoalkaloids by MPLC

Summary A new, efficient and economic method employing Medium Pressure Liquid Chromatography (MPLC) for the isolation of the two majorSolanum tuberosum L. glycoalkaloids (α-solanine and α-chaconine) is described. Potato peelings are homogenised with 5% acetic acid, the glycoalkaloids purified by filtration through an XAD-2 column and then by precipitation from the aqueous solution. The resulting glycoalkaloid fraction was purified by MPLC using a Silica Gel column and a CHCl₃:MeOH:2% NH₄OH mixture (70∶30∶5) as mobile phase to yield pure α-chaconine and a-solanine. This methodology can be used to obtain glycoalkaloids for enthomology and toxicological research where large amounts of these compounds are required.