Q. Can you explain Toxic alkaloids?
Alkaloids are the nitrogen heterocycles which occur mainly m plants as their salts of common carboxylic aciak such as citric, lactic, oxalic, acetic etc. Their arnine character produces an alkaline solution in water, hence the origin of their name When eating potatoes, you must have been told to avoid green potatoes or the green and damaged portions of potatoes. This is because potatoes contain toxic compounds known as glycoalkaloids e.g solanine, which are concentrated in the green portions and also the peel of the tuber. Alkaloids are the nitrogen heterocycles which occur mainly in plants as their salts of common carboxylic acids. They impart a bitter taste to the potatoes. Symptoms of poisoning, which develop after consuming such green potatoes or the skin of potatoes are diarrhoea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, apathy, restlessness, drowsiness and visual disturbance. To minimize the hazard, insect attack to potato tubers during growing, mechanical damage during harvesting and storage have to be avoided.