Assessment of potential for toxicity of Phalaris spp. via alkaloid contentdetermination: P-coerulescens, a case example

Species of Phalaris are useful pasture grasses but can exert neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects on grazing animals. In view of the unresolved aetiolog y of the various forms of Phalaris intoxication and the continuing incident s of livestock poisoning on "low-toxicity" varieties of Phalaris, a strateg y is presented for the comprehensive and definitive determination of alkalo id content in Phalaris spp. using thin layer chromatography, high performan ce liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrome try. This integrated approach to alkaloid determination has highlighted the presence of alkaloids previously not associated with Phalaris spp. toxicit y. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.