Abstract
A chemical comparison between Atropa acuminata and A. belladonna shows that there are significant differences in the secondary metabolites present. The purple-black berry pigment of A. acuminata is the anthocyanin delphanin, while that of A. belladonna is the O -methylated derivative, petanin. There are differences in the flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acid esters present, e.g. quercetin 3-methyl ether is restricted in its occurrence to A. belladonna. Likewise, the amounts of major alkaloids vary greatly, especially in the roots, and the minor alkaloids also differ. The distribution within the plant can also vary: 6-hydroxyhyoscyamine is present in the stem of A. acuminata and in the root of A. belladonna. The chemical results thus suggest that A. acuminata should be maintained as a species distinct from A. belladonna.
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