Abstract
Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) possesses a rich tropane alkaloids (TAs) spectrum. The plant contains, in particular, the allelopathic compounds scopolamine and atropine, which are poorly soluble in water, thus limiting their use in agrochemical formulations as biocidal and deterrent agents against herbivore insects. The efficacy of the hydrophobic TAs extracts could be increased with the improvement of their dissolution/leaching properties. This is important for improving screening and test performance and for elucidating the activity of environmentally friendly agricultural approaches, with new perspectives for the production and use of those biodegradable insecticidal products. The present study explores the aspects of atropine and scopolamine complexation with cyclodextrin (CDs) through FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. In addition, the structures of the inclusion complex of atropine, scopolamine and β-CD have been investigated by molecular modeling techniques. The results obtained indicate that β-CDs are a promising carriers for improving the properties of TAs, therefore increasing their application potential in agrochemical formulations.Graphic abstract
Highlights
The allelopathy, a phenomenon of biochemical interactions among plants, is considered one of the possible alternatives for reaching sustainable weed management (Cheng and Cheng 2015; Singh et al 2001, 2003)
The comparison of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra of the three systems: tropane alkaloids (TAs), extract of D. stramonium L., HPβCD and the inclusion complex of the two components obtained with the wet mixing method is depicted in Fig. 2 and S2
Spectral comparison (Fig. 2 and S2) indicated that the two components are not physically mixed but have undergone a significant alteration of their vibration properties following their inclusion in the CD cavity with the subsequent restricted dynamic motion. This observation is in accordance with other studies that have been performed in CD inclusion complexes and CD: UV–Vis spectra of tropane alkaloids with different β–CD concentration (a) and the correlation between the absorbance and β–CD concentration (b)
Summary
The allelopathy, a phenomenon of biochemical interactions among plants, is considered one of the possible alternatives for reaching sustainable weed management (Cheng and Cheng 2015; Singh et al 2001, 2003). From the extract of D. stramonium L., one system was made by using the raw alkaloids tropane (mainly composed by atropine and scopolamine), whereas the purchased purified forms have been considered for preparing an additional system.
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