In vivo NMR analysis of tropane alkaloid metabolism in transformed root and de-differentiated cultures of Datura stramonium

In vivo N-15 NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the metabolism of [N-15]tropinone in transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium. It was shown that, within only 2-4 hr of application of the labelled precursor, labelled metabolites can readily be detected. It was further demonstrated that de-differentiated cultures, derived from the roots by treatment with phytohormones, are capable of metabolising [N-15]tropinone to [N-15]tropine and simple [N-15]tropine esters but that these cultures cannot convert [N-15]tropinone to [N-15]hyoscyamine. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd