A preliminary TLC study of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui seeds Earlier, I have studied some Tabernaemontana spp. such as T. undulata and compared the TLC chromatograms of that to the more well established anti-addictive plant T. iboga [1] The purpose of this paper was to do a very preliminary TLC on T. pandacaqui (Banana Bush) seeds, to see how the alkaloid profile compared. Tabernaemontana pandacaqui possesses CNS depressant activity. A phytochemical analysis of the alkaloidal extract (stem) showed that coronaridine and 19S-heyneanine were its major principles. 3-Hydroxycoronaridine, 3-oxocoronaridine, coronaridine hydroxyindolenine, apparicine, and tacamine were isolated and identified among the many minor alkaloids. Other analysis [2]: Pericyclivine Tabernaemontanine (+ )-20-epi-Lochneridine Coronaridine (-)-Ibogamine Iboxygaine Tabernanthine Isovoacangine Voacristine Ervafoline 1 Ervafolidine Isoervafolidine Crushed seeds were moistened with a very small quantity of aq. ammonia to basify and extracted with 1:1 acetone:white spirits as per the first paper and concentrated to a small sample. Using the same solvent system for TLC gave good resolution of several fluorescent bands at Rf = 0.49, 0.6 (major), and 0.68. In comparison from previous TLCs, major constituents in T. undulata root bark were at Rf = 0.69, 0.62, 0.52, 0.48 and 0.38. A reference sample of T. iboga (TI) was used for comparison with Rf's obtained of 0.62 (major), 0.52 and 0.38, with lesser minor constituents Unfortunately, it was challenging to capture the UV fluorescence on the available camera. Compared to the phytochemical density seen in the Tabernaemontana root bark, the seeds of T. pandacaqui were MUCH weaker in alkaloids but it was still possible to visualise some major constituents. At a very preliminary level, which should be interpreted with caution, there seems to be some potential phytochemical similarity in the T. pandacaqui seeds to T. undulata root bark and more distant Tabernanthe spp. References [1] A preliminary TLC study of Tabernaemontana undulata, it's phytochemistry and possible psychopharmacology https://pdfhost.io/v/8Lez0TpDO_tabernaemontana [2] Phytochemistry of Tabernaemontana https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(84)90046-1 2 3