Quinolizidine Alkaloids as Nitrogen Source for Lupin Seedlings and Cell Cultures

Abstract

Abstract The alkaloid patterns during germination and seedling development of Lupinus polyphyllus, L. angustifolius, L. albus, L. pubescens, Cytisus scoparius, Baptisia australis, Spartium junceum and Laburnum anagyroides were studied by capillary glc and EI-MS and CI-MS. The alkaloid contents were relatively high in the seeds and decreased by 20-100% during germination and the early developmental stages. The plants with fully developed leaves were able to synthesize new alkaloids. The decrease of alkaloid concentrations during germination was interpreted in terms of alkaloid turnover and use of the alkaloidal nitrogen for seedling development. The ability of plants to rely on the alkaloidal nitrogen as a nitrogen source could also be shown in lupin cell cultures which could survive and even grow on media which contained sparteine as the sole nitrogen source.