Tomato: Difference between revisions

Like many other [[nightshade]]s, tomato leaves and stems contain [[solanine]]{{Citation needed}} that is toxic if ingested. Ripened fruit does not contain this compound{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}. Leaves, stems, and green unripe fruit of the tomato plant contain small amounts of the poisonous{{Citation needed}} alkaloid [[tomatine]].<ref name="Barceloux">{{Cite journal | last = Barceloux | first = D. G. | title = Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Solanine Toxicity (''Solanum tuberosum'' L., ''Solanum lycopersicum'' L.) | journal = Disease-a-Month | year = 2009 | volume = 55 | issue = 6 | pages = 391–402 | pmid = 19446683 | doi = 10.1016/j.disamonth.2009.03.009 | url = http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B75BF-4W92RY0-F&_user=128590&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2009&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000010619&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=128590&md5=915d12d736cf571ed7793e94eec98a4d

Use of tomato leaves in tea ([[tisane]]) has been responsible for at least one death.<ref name="calimaster">{{Cite book | last = Pittenger | first = D. R. | title = California Master Gardener Handbook | chapter = Vegetables That Contain Natural Toxins | chapterurl = http://www.google.com/books?id=WhWjHB1Zjf8C&pg=PA643 | accessdate = 2009-07-21 | year = 2002 | publisher = ANR Publications | isbn = 978-1-879906-54-9 | pages = 643–644Citation needed}}</ref> However, levels of tomatine are generally too small to be dangerous.<ref name="Barceloux"/><ref name="Mcgee-NYT">{{Cite news | last = Mcgee | first = H. | title = Accused, Yes, but Probably Not a Killer | newspaper = The New York Times | accessdate = 2010-03-26 | date = 2009-07-29 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/dining/29curi.html }}</ref>