Variation of scopolamine and atropine in different parts of Datura metel during development

Abstract

Scopolamine and atropine contents in the whole plant of Datura metel L. increased gradually with the progress of developmental growth, and were most pronounced when the plant was at the end of its reproductive stage. The highest percentage of scopolamine accumulation in the root was after 16 weeks. The root was the organ which often accumulated higher amounts of atropine. The aerial parts, if compared with the root of the plant, usually accumulated relatively higher amounts of scopolamine and relatively lower amounts of atropine.