ALKALOID CONTENT OF REED CANARYGRASS (Phalaris arundinaceae L.) AS DETERMINED BY GAS-LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
Canadian Journal of Plant Science – October 01, 1990
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A new gas chromatography technique effectively quantified gramine, hordenine, and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl tryptamine (5MeO-DMT) in reed canarygrass (RCG), achieving an impressive average recovery rate of 90% for these alkaloids. The study involved five RCG cultivars across two locations. Gramine levels were significantly higher in the Rival cultivar compared to Venture, while Castor, Palaton, and Vantage showed intermediate levels. Notably, none of the cultivars contained detectable 5MeO-DMT, and regrowth exhibited increased gramine content compared to initial growth.
Abstract
A technique was developed for the quantification of gramine, hordenine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl tryptamine (5MeO-DMT) in reed canarygrass (RCG) using gas–liquid chromatography. One gram of freeze-dried, ground RCG sample was extracted with methanol containing 1% ammonium hydroxide. Following solvent evaporation, the residue was extracted with dilute hydrochloric acid (0.01 N). The pH of the extract was then raised and stabilized by adding 0.5 M sodium tetraborate-boric acid buffer pH 9. The internal standard solution (0.25 mg mL −1 ) n-nonadecane was added and the extract was purified by partitioning with chloroform. The chloroform was then evaporated and the alkaloids were derivatized with bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide and effectively separated on a gas chromatographic column packed with 2% OV-7 on Chromosorb W. Derivatization was effective at 100 °C (20 min). Extraction of the sample with methanol was maximal at 30-minute extraction time and the recovery of all the alkaloids studied was shown to average 90%. Development of this procedure provides a means to measure RCG gramine, hordenine and 5MeO-DMT concentrations in the presence or absence of tryptamines or β-carbolines. Initial growth and regrowth of five cultivars of RCG from two locations were evaluated for gramine, hordenine and 5MeO-DMT content using this technique. No differences were detected in hordenine content. Gramine content was higher (P < 0.05) in Rival than Venture, with Castor, Palaton and Vantage being intermediate. None of the cultivars contained detectable levels of 5MeO-DMT. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in hordenine content between initial growth and regrowth; however, gramine content of regrowth was higher (P < 0.05) than initial growth.Key words: Gramine, hordenine, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl tryptamine, reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinaceae L.