Tasmanian sassafras

This alkaloid, C35H3606N2-CHC13 (mp 183°-188°), was recently isolated from the leaves of the Tasmanian sassafras Atherosperma moschatum Labill. (79). 

With the isolation of the first alkaloids in Europe in the early 19th century and a study of their properties, interest soon developed in examining the flora of countries throughout the world for plant bases that might be useful as drugs. The first alkaloid from an Australian plant, the Tasmanian sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum, family Monimiaceae), was isolated in a German laboratory about fifty years later by Zeyer [1] and named atherospermine he described it thus ... 

Volume 10 of this series presents four timely reviews. Chapter 1 is a monumental survey of "Alkaloids from Australian Flora" by I. R. C. Bick of the University of Tasmania. This chapter provides a fascinating account of the history of alkaloid discovery in Australia beginning with the isolation of the first alkaloid from an Australian plant, the Tasmanian sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum), by Zeyer in 1861. Also included is a comprehensive survey of alkaloid-bearing plants, and a section dealing with detection, estimation, extraction, and work-up procedures for alkaloids. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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