Pyrrolizidine-Derived Alkaloids: Highly Toxic Components in the Seeds of Crotalaria cleomifolia Used in Popular Beverages in Madagascar.

Seeds of Crotalaria cleomifolia (Fabaceae) are consumed in Madagascar in preparation of popular beverages. The investigation of extracts from the seeds of this species revealed the presence of high amounts of alkaloids from which two pyrrolizidine-derived alkaloids were isolated. One of them was fully characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, which was found to be usaramine. Owing to the high toxicity of these alkaloids, issuing a strong warning among populations consuming the seeds of Crotalaria cleomifolia must be considered.

Chemical composition of the pods of Albizia polyphylla.

In this study, we report for the first time the presence of alkaloids belonging to ß-carboline type in the pods of the endemic Albizia polyphylla from Madagascar. Three major alkaloids were isolated and structurally identified as: 1-methyl-ß-carboline, (+)-(R)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-ß-carboline and (-)-(S)-1,2-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-ß-carboline.