Biochemistry

[Abstract] This protocol delivers a method to determine the biosynthetic capability of comfrey leaves for pyrrolizidine alkaloids independently from other organs like roots or flowers.

The protocol applies and combines radioactive tracer experiments with standard and modern techniques like thin layer chromatography (TLC), solid-phase extraction ...

[Abstract] Various parts of the caper tree Capparis decidua have found application in traditional medicine. The isolation and structural elucidation of the codonocarpine type alkaloids contained in the root bark, however, is not trivial and has probably led to misinterpretation in the past. This protocol describes the extraction and chromatographic ...

[Abstract] A plethora of natural products, mostly secondary metabolites, are isolated and purified from many different organisms, like plants, fungi, algae, marine invertebrates, etc. The extraction procedure is specific to each organism, but some guidelines are usually followed for any purification procedure regarding targeted metabolites, such as ...

[Abstract] Paper chromatography is an ancient technique to separate low molecular mass compounds based on their distribution between mobile phase (solvent) and stationary phase (cellulose and cellulose-bound water). Paper chromatography has been largely replaced by thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography as the latter methods ...

[Abstract] In this protocol, the determination of the nicotine concentration in nectar of Nicotiana attenuata is described. This method is applicable for the investigation of small amounts of nectar (above 1 μl). It is a high-throughput protocol optimized and streamlined for one skilled person to process approximately 100 nectar samples per day.