Content and De Novo Synthesis of Cocaine in Embryos and Endosperms from Fruit of Erythroxylum coca Lam

Abstract

There is controversy as to whether the mature fruit of Erythroxylum coca var. coca Lam. contains the cocaine alkaloid (benzoylmethylecgonine). In the present study, cocaine was monitored to determine if it was present in embryos and endosperms of mature fruit of E. coca var. coca Lam., and if present, the time required for de novo synthesis in imbibing seed. Seeds from mature fruit of E. coca were dissected to separate the embryos from the endosperms. The separated embryos and endosperms were analysed for cocaine. Subsequently, endosperms and embryos from seed imbibed. under a light and dark treatment were separated on days 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 and analysed for cocaine. Cocaine was present in embryos (0.005% of d. wt) and endosperms (0–001% of d. wt) of mature fruit of E. coca. De novo synthesis of cocaine occurred only in embryos of seed imbibed under light after day 9 of imbibition.

Erythroxylum coca, alkaloid, benzoylmethylecgonine, cocaine, embryo, endosperm, seed imbibition