Badania procesu demetylacji nikotyny w warunkach in vivo [Investigations of nicotine demethylation process in vivo]

Abstract

Investigations were carried out on intact leaves of Nicotiana alata which contain practically not alkaloids. Whey these leaves are infiltrated with nicotine it undergoes some chemical changes rather quickly. After introducing the nicotine into the leaves the alkaloid composition was investigated in three day intervals after the infiltration was stopped. No oxynicotine was present in the investigated material. The formation of nornicotine was determined quantitatively in outer and internal layers of the leaf blade. On the basis of these results determination of order and rate of nicotine demethylation was attempted. The reaction was classifield as a first order monomolecular reaction. In this connection a presumed mechanism of nicotine demethylation in leaves of Nicotiana alata was discussed.