METABOLISM OF HYGRINE IN ATROPA, HYOSCYAMUS AND PHYSALIS

Three-month-old plants of Physalis alkekengi, Atropa belladonna and Hyoscyamus niger were fed via the roots with either d( + ) or l( - )-hygrine-[2′- 14C]. The feeding experiments were terminated after 7 days when the following alkaloids were isolated from the paired groups of plants: tigloidine, 3α-tigloyloxytropane and cuscohygrine from Physalis; hyoscyamine from Hyoscyamus and from Atropa. In contrast to Datura these genera appear to use both hygrine enantiomers in the biosynthesis of the tropane ring. © 1979.