Quantitative gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of Cephalotaxus alkaloids.

Plants of the genus Cephalotaxus contaim many alkaloids, some of which have demonstrated antitumor activity. Analysis of crude alkaloid mixtures by gas chromatography provides quantitation of the active principles and other, non-active, alkaloids. Mass spectrometry is used to identify known alkaloids in extracts and to confirm the presence of previously unknown ones. Such data provide a means for predicting the biological activity of new plant accessions.