CGC-MS of alkaloids in Leucojum aestivum plants and their in vitro cultures.

Underivatised alkaloid mixtures extracted from intact plants and in vitro cultures of Leucojum aestivum (Amaryllidaceae) were investigated by capillary GC-MS. Excellent peak resolution for the alkaloids was exhibited and isomers of galanthamine and N-formylnorgalanthamine were well separated. Fourteen alkaloids of galanthamine, lycorine and crinane types were identified, 11 in the intact plants and eight in the in vitro cultures.