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Levels of a Neurotoxic Alkaloid in a Species of Low Larkspur

1988; University of Arizona; Volume: 41; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3899172

2162-2728

W. Majak, Michael Engelsjord,

Plant and fungal interactions

A survey of the levels of the neurotoxic diterpenoid alkaloid methyliycaconitine (MLA) in low iarkspur (De&didum m~ttahkmun Pritz.) was conducted at 4 diverse rangeland sites in southern British Columbia.Freeze-dried plant samples representing 3 stages of growth over 2 growing seasons were analyzed for MLA by high pressure liquid chromntography.Significant differences were found among experimental sites (p<O.OOl) with higher levels of MLA 00.2% on a dry weighht basis) being associated with sites at higher elevdions (900-975 m).At one site, an exceptional level of MLA PO.3%) was observed during the flower bud stage of growth but in general the alkaloid levels remained fairly constant with advancing stages of growth.Measurement of the MLA concentrations in different plant parts revealed that reproductive parts contained higher levels of MLA than vegetative parts and this may well explain the increased toxicity of the upper portions of the plant.