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G F Spencer

Publications and source records attributed to G F Spencer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantitative gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of Cephalotaxus alkaloids.

Plants of the genus Cephalotaxus contaim many alkaloids, some of which have demonstrated antitumor activity. Analysis of crude alkaloid mixtures by gas chromatography provides quantitation of the active principles and other, non-active, alkaloids. Mass spectrometry is used to identify known alkaloids in extracts and to confirm the presence of previously unknown ones. Such data provide a means for predicting the biological activity of new plant accessions.

Alkaloids↗

Effects of maturity and plant spacing on the morphine content of two varieties of Papaver somniferum L.

Two varieties of opium poppy were grown under irrigation for one season and their capsules analysed for morphine content by gas chromatography. Harvest of the capsules at 29-33 days after flowering (mature seed) gave 6.70 kg/ha morphine as compared to 5.36 kg/ha morphine in capsules harvested at 4-6 days after flowering. With constant row spacing (30 cm between double rows on ridges 102 cm apart), a plant spacing of 6 cm gave 20 per cent more morphine than either 12- or 18-cm spacing. There was no statistical difference in morphine content between a blue- and a white-seeded variety.

Arizona↗