Quantitative analysis of serpentine and ajmalicine in plant tissues of Catharanthus roseus and hyoscyamine and scopolamine in root tissues of Datura stramonium by thin layer chromatography‐densitometry

Sensitive and rapid thin layer chromatographic‐densitometric methods have been developed for the quantification of the indole alkaloids, ajmalicine and serpentine, and of the tropane alkaloids, hyosycamine and scopolamine. The concentration ranges in which accurate and reproducible results can be obtained are 1‐8 μg for the tropane alkaloids, 1‐10 μg for ajmalicine and 200–1400 ng for serpentine. The limit of detection for serpentine is 20 ng and 500 ng for the other alkaloids. The methods have been successfully employed for the determination of alkaloids in tumours and calli of Catharanthus roseus, in root tissues of Datura stramonium and also in the respective liquid culture media.