Todd, solanine is present in tiny amounts in tomatoes and eggplant fruit- and is of no likely significance. These are edible fruits and are symbiotic with their predators. On the other hand it is present in large amounts in potatoes especially if they are green, cut or bruised. It does not degrade with cooking even deep frying. Green, bruised and injured potatoes must never be eaten even if the green bruised or injured parts are cut off. The solanine level in normal potatoes is close to the toxic level, which is why I think they are the most marginal of all foods in the diet. Potatoes also have lectins and enzyme inhibitors in abundance. In the medical literature, there are over 30 recorded cases in of death from eating raw potatoes (ref Loren Cordain, paleodiet list). A good reference to become a pothater is the fairly heavy (but a breeze compared to Liener) post-graduate level text: Shahidi, Fereidoon ed Antinutrients and Phytochemicals in Food 1997 Culinary and Hospitality Industry Publications CHIPS if you wnat an interlibrary loan. Chapter 4 I think (anyhow, the chapter after Liener's chapter) is very good for becoming a lectin hater. Potatoes sure are not paleo!!! Ben Balzer >Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 11:37:21 -0400 >From: Todd Moody <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Solanin On Thu, 28 Sep 2000, Amadeus Schmidt wrote: > Potatoes: they are a good source of protein and energy *and* vitamins. > They are underground plants which is a good indication for healthy > paleo-food. > But they contain a toxin: solanin. An interesting thing about solanin is that it is also present in tomatoes and other nightshade plants. If it is a reason for avoiding potatoes then it is also a reason to avoid the others. I think I have read that the solanin in potatoes is formed when they are exposed to sunlight. That is when they begin to turn green. Todd Moody [log in to unmask]