Gas Chromatography (GC) 
Gas chromatographic analysis was performed with an 
Fk & M Model 400 apparatus equipped with hydrogen 
flame ionization detection system. ‘The column support, 
100-120 mesh Gas Chrom P, was size-graded, acid- 
washed and silanized according to the method described 
by Horning et al. (1963). The coating was applied by 
the filtration technique (Horning ef al., 1959). The 
stationary phase used was 5% SE-30 (2.25 m. x 3.2 mm. 
glass tube). The column was operated at 200° and the 
injector block and the detector chamber were kept at 
250°. The amount of alkaloids in mg./100 g. dry plant 
material and the percentage of each alkaloid in the alka- 
loid mixture was determined by planimetry using atro- 
pine and scopolamine as standards. 
Gas Chromatography — Mass Spectometry (GC-MS) 
The principles of the technique have been described 
earlier (Holmstedt and Lindgren, 1967). The mass spec- 
trometry work was carried out with an LIAB 9000 gas 
chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The ion source was 
270°, the electron energy was 70 eV and the electron 
ionization current 60 A, respectively. The separations 
were made on a column (2 m. x 3.2 mm.), packed with 
5% SE-30 on Gas Chrom P at 210°. 
ReEsuLtTs 
The results are presented in Table I and Plates 6, 7. 
Discussion 
The first chemical investigation of Latua pubiflora was 
that of Vasquez in 1864. Vasquez made both an alkaline 
and an acid extract of the plant but was not able to find 
any alkaloids. He compared the resin to that of Cannabis 
sativa and promised continued investigations of its active 
principles. These never appeared. The next investiga- 
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