tomatine

plural tomatines

1. countableuncountablechemistryA toxic glycoalkaloid with fungicidal properties, found in the stems and leaves of tomato plants.

   Some of these, such as α-chaconines and α-tomatines, are generally antiparasitic (general prohibitions; see also sections 3.231, 3.2333, 8.4213).

   1988, M. K. Dasgupta, chapter 0, in Principles of Plant Pathology, page 263

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   However, because of the marked antifungal activity of tomatine and other saponins, these preformed compounds are believed to be involved in host resistance towards saponin-sensitive fungi.

   2001, R. Barkai-Golan, Postharvest Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables: Development and Control, page 71

   2006, John R. Stommel, 6: Genetic Enhancement of Tomato Fruit Nutritive Value, Maharaj K. Razdan, Autar K. Mattoo (editors), Genetic Improvement of Solanaceous Crops, Volume 2: Tomato, page 208, Tomato accumulates the glycoalkaloids a-tomatine and dehydrotomatine in a 10 : 1 ratio (Madhavi and Salunkhe 1998).

   2012, Cheryll Williams, Medicinal Plants in Australia, Volume 3: Plants, Potions and Poisons, page 156, In addition, the level of tomatine in transgenic tomatoes (190–280 mg/100 g fresh weight) was increased substantially from that of the parent (35 mg/100 g) and the standard transgenic tomato (12 mg/100 g).