Isolation of [+] -tubocurarine and an unknown alkaloid from curare resin by a new chromatographic technique

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a new TLC method which gives an excellant resolution of the 12 alkaloids present in curare resin. The method is simple, suitable for isolation of [+]-tubocurarine alkaloid and the interferred unknown alkaloid in commercial curare resin. The unidentified laevorotatory alkaloid gives rise to particular problems in the production of pure d-tubocurarine chloride as it interferes in the crystallization process of d-tubocurarine. Pure crystalline [+]-tubocurarine and the unidentified alkaloid can be prepared by this method. It is also suitable for control analysis of commercial curare resin and [+]-tubocurarine chloride alkaloid