DIFFERENCES OF ATROPINE ESTERASE-ACTIVITY BETWEEN INTACT ROOTS AND CULTURED ROOTS OF VARIOUS TROPANE ALKALOID-PRODUCING PLANTS

The tropane alkaloid distribution and atropine esterase activity in Atropa belladonna, Datura tatula, Duboisia leichhardtii, Hyoscyamus niger and Scopolia japonica were determined at various developmental stages and compared with those in their cultured roots. High atropine esterase activity was found in the roots of every tropane alkaloid-producing plant at any stage of development, though much higher activities were detected in the roots of annual and biennial herbs at the fruiting stage. In contrast to these findings, no cultured roots contained detectable amounts of atropine esterase activity in spite of their production of hyoscyamine and scopolamine.