New Gold in Them Thar Hills: Testing a Novel Supply Route for Plant-Derived Galanthamine.
Many secondary plant compounds are synthesized in response to stressed growing conditions. We tested the feasibility of exploiting this feature in a novel strategy for the commercial production of the plant alkaloid galanthamine. Experimental lines of Narcissus pseudonarcissus were established under marginal upland permanent pasture at four different sites. Over 80% of bulbs successfully established at each site. There was no effect of altitude or planting density on galanthamine concentrations within vegetative tissues, which were higher than anticipated. The results confirm that planting N. pseudonarcissus under grass competition in upland areas could offer a novel and sustainable source of plant-derived galanthamine.
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Pwllpeiran, Cwmystwyth, Aberystwyth, UK.
Mariecia D
MD
Fraser
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Pwllpeiran, Cwmystwyth, Aberystwyth, UK.
John R T
JR
Davies
Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Rd, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK.
Xianmin
X
Chang
D005702:Galantamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031427:Narcissus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry
D012987:Soil; D005702:Galantamine
Alkaloid; daffodil; galantamine; less favored areas; plant stress