Biodiversity of bioactive compounds in potato- a member of the Solanaceae family

The potato crop, Solanum tuberosum L, is a staple food in many parts of the world and it plays an important role in global security. It is also an important industrial crop as a source of starch and pigments for various food and industrial applications. Extensive research conducted on genetic resources collections including old varieties, wild relatives, and modern varieties has revealed of a wide range of compounds with bioactive properties and health-promoting potential, including vitamins, antioxidants and glycoalkaloids. Starches with different functional properties were also identified in a number of potato accessions, which could result in different physiological effects in human consumption. The wide variability in bioactive compounds among potato germplasm coupled with recent progress in genomics application provide a great opportunity for further exploration and enhancement of the potential of Bioactive, Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Molecules in Plants