Abstract
Extracts of B. multiradiata and H. hoopsii were analyzed by GLC and GC-MS for the presence of a toxic sesquiterpene lactone, hymenoxon. A compound was found in both plants that co-chromatographed with hymenoxon on 3% OV-17 and 3% QF-1 GLC columns and gave a mass spectrum statistically identical to the mass spectrum of hymenoxon. Extracts of both plants were treated with base to convert hymenoxon to psilotropin. Hymenoxon could not be detected in the base treated extracts; however, a compound was detected that co-chromatographed with psilotropin on 3% Ov-17 and 3% QF-1 columns and gave a mass spectrum statistically identical to the mass spectrum of psilotropin. Hymenoxon was successfully extracted with ethyl acetate from ground plant material and quantitatively was analyzed on a 3% Ov-17 GLC column. Dimethoxyhymenoxon or flavone was used as the internal standard. Recovery of fortified hymenoxon from plant tissue was 100-105% and the standard deviation of five analyses was 0.049%. Hymenoxon was shown to react with the sulfhydryl group of cysteine. The second order rate constant for the reaction was 504 liters/mole min. Studies on the reaction of hymenoxon in alkaline solution indicated that at pH 10-12 hymenoxon was converted to intermediates that formed psilotropin and greenein when the pH was made acid. Hymenoxon added to whole sheep blood became sequestered. Evidence was obtained that suggested that hymenoxon was reacting with endogeneous compounds within the erythrocytes..
Hill, Dennis Wayne (1976). Analysis of hymenoxon in plant tissue and the disposition of hymenoxon in the rabbit by Dennis Wayne Hill. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -93384.