Abstract
LONDON. Association of Economic Biologists, May 13.—Lieut.Col. A. T. Gage: Alkaloids are yielded chiefly by the following plants, Aconitum Napellus L. (aconite); Berberis aristata DC. (berberin); Papaver somniferum L. (morphine and other alkaloids); Camellia Thea Link. (caffeine); Theobroma Cacao L. (theobromine); Erythroxylum Coca Lamk. (cocaine); Pilocarpus pennatifolius Lem. (pilocarpine); Physostigma venenosum Balf. (physostigmine or eserine); Conium maculatum L. (conine); Cinchona, various species (quinine and allied alkaloids); Coffea arabica L. (caffeine); Psychotria Ipecacuanha Stokes (emetine); Strychnos Nux vomica L. (strychnine); Nicotiana Tabacum L. (nicotine); Datura Stramonium L. (daturine); Atropa Belladonna L. (atropine); Hyos. cyamus niger L. (hyoscamine); Claviceps purpurea Tul. (ergotine).—T. A. Henry: During the century that has elapsed since the discovery of the first alkaloid, morphine, great progress has been made in our knowledge of these indispensable drugs. Such well known alkaloids as cocaine and atropine have been made in the laboratory, the synthesis of quinine and the related cinchona alkaloids may be expected at any time and, except in minute details, experts are now agreed as to the structure of even such a difficult alkaloid as morphine. Though supplies of alkaloids are still drawn wholly from natural sources, there has been no intensive study of the biochemistry of alkaloids, and virtually nothing is yet known regarding either the methods by which alkaloids originate in plants or the part they play in plant physiology.
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Societies and Academies. Nature 119, 909–911 (1927). https://doi.org/10.1038/119909a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/119909a0