PYRROLIZIDINE ALKALOIDS IN MEMBERS OF THE BORAGINACEAE FROM SINAI (EGYPT)

Altogether 40 pyrrolizidine alkaloids were detected in the alkaloid ex tracts of Paracaryum rugulosum, P. intermedium, Anchusa milleri, Gastr ocotyle hispida (syn. Anchusa hispida), Anchusa arvensis, Lappula spin ocarpos, Trichodesma africanum, Alkanna orientalis, and Alkanna tuberc ulata (syn, A, tinctoria) which were analyzed by capillary GLC and GLC -MS. 24 alkaloids were unambiguously identified by comparing their spe cific retention indices and mass fragmentations with those of authenti c alkaloids and literature data. The relevance of PAs as chemical defe nce compounds for desert plants against herbivores is discussed. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.