Isolation of alkaloids of Erythrina from tissue culture

Abstract

Seeds of two species of Erythrina (Leguminosae) were examined for the presence of biologically active alkaloids. Undifferentiated callus of Erythrina coralloides and E. americana produced the tetracyclic alkaloids typical for each species, but an unexpected profile of oxygenated alkaloids was observed. The tissue was analysed after isolation and purification, and identification of the alkaloids was by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A higher amount of alkaloid was observed in seeds compared with callus of E. americana. A considerable difference is observed when the alkaloid content from callus is compared with that of the intact plant.