Biogenesis of the alkaloids ofDatura innoxia

Summary 1. It has been shown that acetone, acetate, and methylamine are utilized in the biosynthesis of the tropane alkaloids. The most specific precursor of the alkaloids was acetone.2. Acetate and methylamine are implicated in alkaloid biosynthesis in the roots, and acetone in the leaves. The biosynthetic process does not have a smooth nature but one with a number of maxima.3. The accumulation of hyoscyamine takes place predominantly in the roots and that of scopolamine in the generative organs. The content of scopolamine is higher.Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 188–191, 1967