CHED 1144 |
| This study was conducted on the plant family Apocynaceae to determine whether and medicinal or potentially medicinal alkaloids are present. Previous studies have identified the presence of medicinally active alkaloids in the Vinca Minor. Various species were collected, stored, labeled, dried, ground to a powder, and spot-tested with a series of reagents to confirm the presence or absence of alkaloids. Vinca Minor leaves and roots and Apocynum X Floribidum leaves and stems tested positive for the presence of alkaloids. An ethanol extract was bioassayed using E.Coli, Staphlococcus Epidermis, and Bacillus Subtillus. Whole and segments of the plants that did not contain the alkaloids had a significantly larger diameter of inhibition than those containing the alkaloids. The positive portions underwent a rigorous extraction and isolation of the target alkaloids. Once isolated, HPLC, LC/Mass Spec and NMR determined the alkaloids' purity and structure. The final results were compared to known medicinally useful alkaloids and bioassays. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |