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Alkaloids Complete Notes Colored

Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing organic compounds primarily found in plants, exhibiting significant physiological effects. They serve various functions in plants, including defense and growth regulation, and are classified based on their chemical structure and origin. Alkaloids have important pharmaceutical applications, such as pain relief and antimalarial properties, and can be isolated through specific extraction and purification methods.

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31 views2 pages

Alkaloids Complete Notes Colored

Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing organic compounds primarily found in plants, exhibiting significant physiological effects. They serve various functions in plants, including defense and growth regulation, and are classified based on their chemical structure and origin. Alkaloids have important pharmaceutical applications, such as pain relief and antimalarial properties, and can be isolated through specific extraction and purification methods.

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zobiaahmad532
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Alkaloids – Complete Explanation

Introduction
Alkaloids are naturally occurring organic compounds that contain nitrogen atoms, usually in a
heterocyclic ring, and exhibit strong physiological actions on humans or animals. They are mainly
found in plants, but also in some fungi, bacteria, and animals.

Occurrence / Sources
Alkaloids are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, especially in families like Solanaceae,
Papaveraceae, Rubiaceae, Leguminosae, and Apocynaceae. Common plant parts containing
alkaloids include leaves (nicotine), seeds (strychnine), bark (quinine), roots (reserpine), and latex
(morphine).

Functions in Plants
They act as defense compounds against herbivores and insects, serve as nitrogen storage, and
play roles in metabolic regulation and growth control.

Classification
1. Based on chemical structure: - Pyridine alkaloids: Nicotine - Indole alkaloids: Reserpine,
Ergotamine - Isoquinoline alkaloids: Morphine, Codeine - Quinoline alkaloids: Quinine - Tropane
alkaloids: Atropine, Cocaine - Purine alkaloids: Caffeine 2. Based on origin: - True alkaloids:
Derived from amino acids (nitrogen in ring) - Protoalkaloids: Derived from amino acids but nitrogen
not in ring (Ephedrine) - Pseudoalkaloids: Not derived from amino acids (Caffeine)

Nomenclature
Names usually end in '-ine' (e.g., Morphine, Nicotine, Quinine). They are often derived from the
plant source or biological activity.

Pharmaceutical Applications
Alkaloids have wide medicinal importance: - Morphine – Pain relief - Quinine – Antimalarial -
Atropine – Pupil dilator - Caffeine – CNS stimulant - Nicotine – Insecticide - Reserpine –
Antihypertensive

Isolation of Alkaloids
1. Extraction: Plant material treated with acidified alcohol. 2. Basification: Neutralize with base. 3.
Separation: Extracted into organic solvent. 4. Purification: By crystallization or chromatography.

Qualitative Tests
Dragendorff’s (orange ppt), Mayer’s (cream ppt), Wagner’s (reddish-brown ppt), Hager’s (yellow
ppt).
General Properties
Bitter taste, mostly solid, insoluble in water, form crystalline salts with acids, optically active.

Method of Structure Determination


Elemental analysis, spectroscopy (IR, NMR, MS, UV), and chemical degradation.

Alkaloid Source Uses


Morphine Opium poppy Analgesic
Quinine Cinchona bark Antimalarial
Nicotine Tobacco Stimulant
Caffeine Coffee, Tea CNS stimulant
Atropine Belladonna Antispasmodic

Recommended Books
1. Nakanishi, K. Natural Products Chemistry, Academic Press (1974).
2. Mann, J. Secondary Metabolism, Oxford Science Publication (1987).

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