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Analysis and distribution of swainsonine and related polyhydroxyindolizidine alkaloids by thin layer chromatography
Author(s) -
Molyneux Russell J.,
James Lynn F.,
Panter Kip E.,
Ralphs Michael H.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
phytochemical analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1099-1565
pISSN - 0958-0344
DOI - 10.1002/pca.2800020307
Subject(s) - swainsonine , castanospermine , chemistry , reagent , thin layer chromatography , indolizidine , chromatography , alkaloid , astragalus , acetic anhydride , stereochemistry , organic chemistry , enzyme , medicine , alternative medicine , traditional chinese medicine , pathology , catalysis
A spray reagent which is sensitive and specific for polyhydroxyindolizidine glycosidase inhibitors such as swainsonine and castanospermine has been developed for their visualization on thin layer chromatographic plates. The method involves treatment of the plates with a sequential system consisting of 10% acetic anhydride in benzene, followed by Ehrlich's reagent. This technique has been used to follow the isolation and purification of minor alkaloidal constituents from Astragalus lentiginosus and Castanospermum australe. The occurrence of swainsonine and its N‐oxide in a number of Astragalus and Oxytropis species has been investigated. Species previously incriminated as locoweeds on the basis of field observations were all shown to contain the alkaloid and it was also found to occur in additional species. The highest levels of swainsonine were found in the seeds and pods, with lesser amounts in the leaves and stems, and none detectable in the roots.