The investigation op the alkaloids of datura stramonium grown in Kenya

Abstract

This project was carried out in order to study the alkaloids of Datura Stramonium grown in Kenya. Microscopical examination of the leaves was done to find out the diagnostic features of the leaves. The alkaloid was extracted from dried leaves and roots using the general method of extraction of alkaloids. Datura Stramonium was found to contain two different alkaloids. These were scopolamine and Atropine. The method used for separation of the alkaloids was Thin Layer Chromatographic technique. The quantative analysis was carried out by volumetric analysis. The dried leaves contained 0.46X w/w of Atropine calculated as total alkaloid The dried roots contained 0.125Z w/w of Atropine calculated at total alkaloid