THE DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL ALKALOIDS AND MAJOR COMPONENTS IN THE DIFFERENT ORGANS OF DATURA METEL VAR. FASTUOSA AT VARIOUS STAGES OF GROWTH

Abstract

There is a direct link between stage of plant growth and its alkaloid content. In Datura metel var. fastuosa, irrespective of the month of sowing maximum alkaloid in leaves is found before the plant flowers. In later stages there is a gradual fall. Hence the best time to harvest the leaf will be when the plant is 4–5 months old i. e., in pre–flowering stage. Rains considerably lower the alkaloid content. Mature leaves of medium size contain maximum alkaloid. Percentages of hyoscine and hyoscyamine both in the leaf and root are not constant at different periods of growth. Hyoscine usually is the principal alkaloid upto preflowering stages, later on hyoscyamine content increases. Analyses of fruits shows that there is a direct relationship between stage of maturity of fruit to its alkaloid content. Very young fruits are found to possess maximum alkaloids. This information may be of immense value for commercial exploitation of this drug plant grown for its alkaloids.