Chapter 1- Introduction

Background of the Study

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison found in species of the nightshade family within the

genus Solanum, such as the potato (Solanum tuberosum), the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum),

and the eggplant (Solanum melongena). It can occur naturally in any part of the plant, including

the leaves, fruit, and tubers. Solanine has pesticidal properties, and it is one of the plant's natural

defenses. Solanine was first isolated in 1820 from the berries of the European black nightshade

(Solanum nigrum), after which it was named. It belongs to the chemical family of saponins.

Potatoes naturally produce solanine and chaconine, a related glycoalkaloid, as a defense

mechanism against insects, disease, and herbivores. Potato leaves, stems, and shoots are

naturally high in glycoalkaloids. When potato tubers are exposed to light, they turn green and

increase glycoalkaloid production. This is a natural defense to help prevent the uncovered tuber

from being eaten. The green colour is from chlorophyll, and is itself harmless. However, it is an

indication that increased level of solanine and chaconine may be present. In potato tubers, 30–

80% of the solanine develops in and close to the skin, and some potato varieties have high levels

of solanine. Some potato diseases, such as late blight, can dramatically increase the levels of

glycoalkaloids present in potatoes. Tubers damaged in harvesting and/or transport also produce

increased levels of glycoalkaloids; this is believed to be a natural reaction of the plant in

response to disease and damage.

Objectives

The objective of this research is to:

1. To know whether the green tubers from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) can be used as a

rat poison.

2. To know how fast food with green tubers mixed in it will kill the rats and mice

3. Investigate which set-up would kill the rats faster

a) Set-up A- a cage with food and water mixed with green tubers

b) Set-up B- a cage with normal food

Hypothesis

If food and water are mixed with green tubers, then nothing will happen to the rats when

they eat the food or drink the water.

Significance of the Study

In the recent years, rat infestation has become a more common problem for everyone who

owns a house. Many people have tried to make ways on how to solve this problem such

as making traps and poisons and even pest control. Now, in this study, instead of just

throwing away green tubers, because they have no use since they are poisonous, we can

actually use them for something that can help prevent the infestation of rats and mice.

This study can also help save money for those who want to prevent rat and mice

infestation since you only need small amounts of crushed green tuber to mix in with the

food. Thus, results with plenty amounts of green tubers mixed in food to kill the rats and

mice with.

Scope and Limitation

This research about “Green Tubers from Potatoes as Rat Poison” aims to determine the

effectivity of the product as rat poison. The researchers will conduct this experiment on

actual rats. The study’s scope is to rid of pesky animals, such as rats from the sewer, from

infiltrating your health. The only limitation to this research is, it is very dangerous since

green tubers are very poisonous to us humans, and other animals.

Conceptual Framework

Green Tubers Mash with a pestle Mix with food

Ready for testing Product

 Green Tubers from Potato as
Rat Poison

Scientific Problem
Will green tubers be capable of making effective rat
poison?
 CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY

Materials and Instrumentation

Mortar and pestle

Green Tubers from Potatoes

Spoon

Plastic Container

Scope and limitation

The study will conduct at Muntinlupa Science Highschool. The materials can be bought

in public supermarkets.

METHODS

A. Making of the Rat Poison

The researchers will first gather the materials needed, after that they will get the

green tubers from the potatoes and place generous amount on the mortar and

pound it with the pestle. The researchers will now transfer the created paste to a

plastic container and they will make sure to cover the plastic container properly

and place it in a safe place where children and pets will not reach.

B. Testing the effectivity of the rat poison

C. The researchers will mix the rat poison to the food and water of the rat in one of the

two set-ups and the remaining set-up will have normal food instead of a poisoned

one. After some time, the researchers will record the results whether the poison

actually took effect

 References/Bibliography

Solanine. (2018, March 15).

Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine