Changes in Glycoalkaloid Content following Mechanical Injuries to Potato Tubers1

Mechanical injuries of tubers of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) such as brushing, cutting, dropping, puncturing, and hammering greatly stimulated glycoalkaloid synthesis in both peel and flesh of tubers. The extent of glycoalkaloid formation depended on cultivar, type of mechanical injury, storage temperature, and duration of storage. High temperature storage stimulated more glycoalkaloid formation than that of low temperature. Most of the injury-stimulated glycoalkaloid formation occurred within 15 days after treatments. Mechanical injury caused by cutting of tubers resulted in the highest contents of glycoalkaloids both in flesh and peel.