Localization Of Alkaloids Research Articles

Accumulation of alkaloids in plants of the family Boraginaceae depending on environmental conditions places of growth

Due to the lack of information on the influence of environmental factors on the accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their content in certain species of this family Boraginaceae, the aim of the study was to assess the level of alkaloids accumulation in the aboveground and under-ground parts of Symphytum asperum Lepech., S. caucasicum M. Bieb., Echium vulgare L., and Pulmonaria mollis Wulfen ex Hornem. depending on climatic, orographic and edaphic conditions. The localization of alka-loids in rhizomes with roots, glandular trichomes of leaves and stems, epidermal cells was revealed. The content of alkaloids in the aboveground phytomass decreases in the series S. asperum ˃ S. caucasicum ˃ Е. vulgare, and in the underground S. caucasicum ˃ S. asperum ˃ Е. vulgare ˃ P. mollis. At the end of the growing season, an increase in the accumulation of alkaloids in the underground phytomass and a decrease in the aboveground one were noted. An increase in air temperature and a decrease in precipitation contribute to an increase in the accumulation of alkaloids in roots and shoots. The level of correlation between the accumulation of alkaloids and the content of trace elements varies from high (Cu, Zn, Mo) to medium (Mn, Pb). The results obtained indicate the need to take into account environmental factors in the implementation of medicinal collections and the preparation of feed from plants.

Cell types, microsymbionts, and pyridoacridine distribution in the tunic of three color morphs of the genus Cystodytes (Ascidiacea, Polycitoridae)

Abstract. The tunic of colonial ascidians of the genus Cystodytes is a dynamic and complex system where a variety of cell types and microsymbionts are found. The tunic is also the site where pyridoacridine alkaloids involved in chemical defense are found. We wanted to explore the composition of symbionts and tunic cell types and their relationship with localization of alkaloids in three color morphs (usually attributed to the species Cystodytes dellechiajei). Tunic morphology was studied by means of transmission electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis was performed for indirect localization of the bioactive alkaloids produced by these morphotypes. The main cell types identified are bladder cells, pigment cells, amebocytes, phagocytes, and morula cells. Amebocytes include several subtypes that may correspond to a sequence of ontogenetic stages; these cells also seem to give rise to other cell types. In the three morphotypes, the morphology of the tunic and tunic cells is basically the same. The alkaloids are localized in the pigment cells. At least three types of bacteria are present in the tunic, but they are scarce and do not store the targeted bioactive alkaloids. Our results indicate that, although pyridoacridine alkaloids are present in these ascidians, as in a variety of animal phyla, their wide taxonomic range is not necessarily the result of production by common microsymbionts, but rather of the convergent evolution of a successful biosynthetic pathway.

Secretory Structures and Localization of Alkaloids inConium maculatumL. (Apiaceae)

In this paper histochemical investigations of the secretory structures ofConium maculatumL., are described that discriminated between ducts and vittae. The localization of alkaloids in seedlings, vegetative organs, flowers, and in the mericarp (during its development from ovary to full maturity), was achieved using specific histochemical tests.

Development of an enzyme immunoassay for the determination of tobacco alkaloids in plant material

A competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA), using anti-nornicotine antibodies is described. The specificity of these antibodies was checked by a high pressure liquid chromotographic (HPLC) procedure. Following purification, the alkaloid extracts were simultaneously analysed by EIA and HPLC and similar results were obtained. The high sensitivity of EIA and its good specificity toward the major tobacco alkaloids enabled us to perform analysis on crude extracts prepared from very small samples (ca. 1 mg dry weight) of plant material. The method can therefore be applied to the localization of alkaloids in Nicotiana plants and cell suspensions.

Localization of Alkaloids in Sclerotia and Suspension Cultures of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.

Summary Cells of the outer layers of sclerotia and cells of submerged cultures of Claviceps purpurea show a very similar pattern regarding their structure. They contain besides an osmiophilic cytoplasm and several nuclei a large amount of lipid droplets. The isolated lipid droplets possess no membranes, they revealed the same electronmicroscopic properties compared with those located within intact cells. The lipid droplets are the main storage compartment for ergoline-alkaloids.

Extraction and Cytochemical Localization of Alkaloids in Plants ofVallota speciosaL. f. cultivated in Apulia

AbstractLocalization of total alkaloids in Vallota speciosa L. f. was studied during the flowering period. The alkaloids synthesized in the epigeal leaves were translocated to the bulbs and unripe fruits. Total alkaloids content of bulbs, leaves and unripe fruits are reported.