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76 POTATO GROWER | JANUARY 2017 Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In BIOLOGY | By Mark Taylor & Derek Stewart James Hutton Institute Solanesol could provide additional income for potato growers New & Natural Chemical Solanesol is a member of the terpene group of chemicals, which in pure form exists as a white crystalline powder. Solanesol was first isolated from flue-cured tobacco and subsequently found in the foliage of other solanaceous crops, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. Researchers do not currently understand why the plant makes solanesol, though some recent research may offer clues. Solanesol levels increase dramatically when potato plants are exposed to moderately elevated temperature. Even higher levels occur when heat and drought stress are applied together. This may imply that solanesol plays a role in the response to these stresses. However, irrespective of the function of solanesol in the plant, the chemical industry may have found some important uses of the chemical. Solanesol is used by the pharmaceutical industry as an intermediate in the synthesis—both chemically and biotechnologically—of metabolically active organic compounds such as coenzyme Q10 (which may help relieve sufferers of migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease) and vitamin K analogues. The market for coenzyme Q10 was valued at over $400 million in 2015 and is growing rapidly due to its use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and as a dietary supplement. There is also a growing awareness that solanesol may have useful properties in its own right with reports of anti-bacterial, anti- inflammation and anti-ulcerative activities. Reports about the mechanism of action of solanesol are starting to surface, and its potential in this arena is considerable. As the foliage of many solanaceous crops such as potato and tomato is essentially regarded as a waste product, there is considerable potential to explore the extraction of solanesol from The foliage of crops such as potato and tomato is currently regarded as waste, but the extraction of solanesol from the plants may prove a worthwhile investment for growers.