The Effect of Certain Nonionic Wetting Agents in Extraction of Alkaloidal Drugs*

Effects of some enzymes, surface-active agents, and calcium chloride on the aqueous extraction of alkaloids from belladonna leaves

“…Nonionic agents such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and mono-oleate, sorbitan laurate ester, polyethylene glycols 400 and 600, propylene glycol, and glycerol esters (1)(2)(3) have been assayed in the extraction from hyoscyamus, belladonna, ipecac, cinchona, hydrastis, etc. In general the yield decreases with anionic agents, is slightly increased with nonionic, and much more so with cationic agents.…”

“…It might also be attributed to dissolution of: (a) certain membrane compounds; (b) cellular components to which alkaloids would be bound; or (c) complexes containing alkaloids (2,11). It might also be attributed to dissolution of: (a) certain membrane compounds; (b) cellular components to which alkaloids would be bound; or (c) complexes containing alkaloids (2,11).…”