Unveiling the presence of insulin-like antidiabetic proteins in potato: A wholesome food

A study was taken up to explore the possibilities for the presence of Insulin like protein in potato tubers. The serological based Direct antigen coating-Enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (DAC-ELISA) clearly detected and quantified the presence of insulin like proteins in dormant and sprouted potato tubers. Presence of ILP was further confirmed in dormant or sprouted potato tuber by Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis where an expected size of approximately 10kDa corresponding to that of Insulin standard was recorded. In the second phase, an in vivo antihyperglycemic activity was carried out by administering the lyophilized powder derived from the tubers of Indian potato varieties to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Among the varieties, Kufri Surya and Kufri Pushkar reduced the blood sugar level to 29.7% and 18% respectively, whereas, the metformin drug reduced the blood sugar level to 23.6%. In addition, the antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds (other than insulin like proteins) of the same varieties were also studies where Kufri Surya was found to be rich in nutrients and antidiabetic compounds. This is the first report on presence of insulin like proteins in the tubers of Indian potato varieties. The study presents a lead to explore the genes expressing insulin like proteins and subsequent utilization in developing specialty insulin rich potato varieties either by biotechnological based gene transfer approaches or by traditional breeding approach.