Extraction, Identification, and Quantification of Harmala Alkaloids in Three Species of Passiflora

Harmala alkaloids are a common plant extract with a number of reported uses including as stimulants and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Their reported activity has led some researchers to identify them as the principal active constituent in passion flowers, an abundant plant which has been identified to have a number of pharmaceutical uses of its own. Harmalas are commonly extracted using chloroform; however, in this case, a green extraction process using ethyl acetate and sodium bicarbonate was applied. Analysis of the harmala alkaloids in Passiflora caerulea, Passiflora incarnata and Passiflora “Coral Glow” was performed quantitatively using the HPLC. Comparison of HPLC results from plant extracts to results from standard solutions concluded that harmol and harmine were present in minor amounts in Passiflora incarnata, harmine was present in large amounts in Passiflora caerulea, and no significant amounts of harmala alkaloids were found in Passiflora “Coral Glow”. The extraction process and HPLC analysis also revealed the presence of the flavonoid derivative Vitexin in Passiflora incarnata. Vitexin was present in relatively large amounts, and as a flavonoid derivative, the compound may have powerful antioxidant activity.