ALKALOIDS FROM 6 ERYTHRINA SPECIES ENDEMIC TO MEXICO

The alkaloids present in the seeds or foliage of six Erythrina species , E. americana Miller, E. coralloides A. DC., E. lepthoriza A. DC., E. mexicana Krukoff, E. oaxacana Krukoff and E. sousae Krukoff have been screened by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concent ration of alkaloids was variable among species and organs, but highest in flowers and seeds. The composition of alkaloids in seeds, flowers, leaves and bark was different among species. The alkaloids of the die noid type were most abundant than alkenoid series. Erysotrine, erythra line and erythratidine were detected in E. lepthoriza, E. mexicana, E. oaxacana and E. sousae. Il-hydroxylated, Il-methoxylated and y 8-oxo- alkaloids (crystamidine and erysotramidine) and erybidine, not describ ed previously in these species were also detected. Erysotrine-N-oxide has been isolated from E. leptorhiza for the first time. The erythroid ines were the main alkaloids detected in E. americana and E. coralloid es together with minor alkaloids which support their taxonomic differe nces. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.