Interspecific transfer of pyrrolizidine alkaloids: An unconsidered source of contaminations of phytopharmaceuticals and plant derived commodities.

Many plant derived commodities contain traces of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). The main source of these contaminations seems to be the accidental co-harvest of PA-containing weeds. Yet, based on the insights of the newly described phenomenon of the horizontal transfer of natural products, it is very likely that the PA-contaminations may also be due to an uptake of the alkaloids from the soil, previously being leached out from rotting PA-plants.

Combination of TLC and HPLC-MS/MS methods. Approach to a rational quality control of Chinese star anise.

In this study, a methodological approach for an effective and reliable quality control of Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook. F.) is developed and validated.