Phytochemical Investigation on Cultivation of Medicinal Plants. XV. The Biogenesis of Ephedrine in Ephedra. (5).

Abstract

It was proved that ¹⁴C of ω-aminoacetophenone (carbonyl-¹⁴C) is incorporated into the α-position of the side-chain of l-ephedrine molecule produced by Ephedra distachya L. during one week of hydroponic cultivation. The biosynthetic scheme of l-ephedrine starting from phenylalanine is discussed.