ALKALOIDS Flashcards
Are extremely difficult to define for they do not represent a homogenous group of
compounds either from the chemical,
biochemical or physiologic point of view.
ALKALOIDS
Naturally occurring chemical compounds
containing basic nitrogen atoms.
ALKALOIDS
Commonly applied to basic nitrogenous
compounds of plant origin that is
physiologically active.
ALKALOIDS
Usually classified according to the nature of the basic chemical structures from which they are derived.
ALKALOIDS
All do occur in plants which have been the
rich sources.
ALKALOIDS
Some are found in animals and practically all have been reproduced by chemical synthesis.
ALKALOIDS
Examples of Alkaloids:
BACTERIA
FUNGI
FROGS
INSECTS
Usually a bitter taste.
ALKALOIDS
By agreement, chemical rules designate
that the name of alkaloids should end in
INE.
ALKALOIDS
By agreement, chemical rules designate
that the name of alkaloids should end in
____.
INE
The term Alkaloid (______) is commonly
used to designate basic heterocyclic
nitrogenous compounds of plant origin that are physiologically active.
ALKALI-LIKE
Some alkaloids are not basic.
BASICITY
Examples or Basicity:
COLCHICINE, PIPERINE, QUATERNARY ALKALOIDS
The nitrogen in some alkaloids is
not a heterocyclic ring.
NITROGEN
Examples of Nitrogen:
COLCHICINE, EPHEDRINE, MESCALINE
Derived from amino acids and have nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring. – Atropine
TRUE/TYPICAL ALKALOIDS
Derived from amino acids and do not have nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring.
– Ephedrine
PROTO-ALKALOIDS
Not derived from amino acids but have nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring. - Caffeine
PSEUDO-ALKALOIDS
Non-alkaloids that gives false positive reaction with alkaloidal reagents.
FALSE ALKALOIDS
Types of Alkaloids:
TRUE/TYPICAL ALCALOIDS
PROT-ALKALOIDS
PSEUDO-ALKALOIDS
FALSE ALKALOIDS
Example of true/typical alcaloid
ATROPINE
Example or Proto-Alkaloids
EPHEDRINE
Example of Pseudo-Alkaloids
CAFFEINE
Are cyclic organic compounds
containing nitrogen in negative state of
oxidation with limited distribution
among living organisms.
ALKALOIDS
Occurrence of Alkaloids:
• RARE IN LOWER PLANTS
• DICOTS ARE MORE RICH IN ALKALOIDS THAN MONOCOTS
• MONOCOT PLANTS WITH ALKALOIDS
• FAMILIES FREE FROM ALKALOIDS
Monocot plants with Alkaloids:
AMARYLLIDACEAE
LILIACEAE
Families free from Alkaloids:
ROSACEAE
LABIATAE
Families rich in Alkaloids:
• APOCYNACEAE
• SOLANACEAE
• PAPAVERACEAE
• RUBIACEAE
• RANUNCULACEAE
• BERBERIDACEAE
Poisonous agent protecting the plant against insects and hervibores due to its bitterness and toxicity.
ALKALOIDS
End product of detoxification reaction
representing a metabolic locking-up of
compounds otherwise harmful to the plants– waste products.
ALKALOIDS
As regulatory growth factor in certain
metabolic systems.
ALKALOIDS
Reserved the substance capable of supplying nitrogen or other necessary elements to the plant’s economy– Sources of nitrogen in case of nitrogen deficiency.
ALKALOIDS
Utilized as source of energy in case of
deficiency in carbon dioxide assimilation.
ALKALOIDS