Possibly aquatic plants can play a role in aquatic ecology through the production and release of biologically active agents. The research objective was to determine the presence, chemical nature and biological activity of plant-produced agents. Nuphar luteum subsp. variegatum and macrophyllum produce both C-15 alkaloids and C-30, sulfur-containing alkaloids. Two of the latter type were isolated. Both were determined as stereoisomeric biscarbinolamines incorporated into two deoxynupharidine moieties linked together at C-7 through a thiaspirange ring. Two new C-15 alkaloids, 7-epideoxynupharidine and 3-epinuphamine, were discovered in N. luteum subsp. variegatum. Both C-30, sulfur-containing alkaloids were active against Corynebacterium michiganense. The more abundant of the two C-30 alkaloids was tested further against five additional phytopathogenic bacteria and was active against four of these. The same alkaloid was inactive against three bacteria taken from the site where the plant material was harvested. C-15 alkaloids, nupharidine and deoxynupharidine, were inactive against C. michiganense, the bacteria most sensitive to the sulfur-containing alkaloids. There is now sufficient indication that Nuphar produces agents which are active against some phytopathogenic bacteria. (Author)

This report was submitted in fulfillment of project 16020DHV07/70, Contract 921141 under the sponsorship of the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration. EPA 16020-DHV-07-70 "July, 1970." Cover title.