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A Preliminary Phytochemical Survey of Papua-New Guinea

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A Preliminary Phytochemical Survey of Papua-New Guinea A Preliminary Phytochemical Survey of Papua-New Guinea BOTANICAL EXPLORATION of the island of several notable plant drugs to world medicine, New Guinea as a whole was not seriously e.g., quinine, cocaine, and curare. The failure undertaken until about 1875. Then and for ofNewGuinea (as well as Australia) to provide some time subsequently, the flora of British a similar array of useful drugs may be due to N~w Guinea was less intensively studied than its comparatively late contact with modern that of Dutch and German New Guinea technology, and to economic factors. (White, 1923: 8). It is not surprising, there­ An Australian Phytochemical Survey, be­ fore, that, until recently, little attention was gun in the latter part of World War II, re­ paid to the phytochemical resources of what vealed many new and potentially valuable is now known as the Territory of Papua-New alkaloids, saponins, pigments, antibiotics, Guinea. By contrast, active botanical research and other compounds of chemical interest including chemistry and 'pharmacology of (Webb, 1953). The tropical and subtropical tropical plants was undertaken at Bogor rain forests of eastern Queensland and north­ (Buitenzorg) beginning in 1888 (Koolhaas, ern New South Wales yielded proportionately 1945: 207). In addition to limited timber­ more species with alkaloids than did other milling, exploitation of coconut (copra) and plant formations. Their specific diversity,and sugar cane (for· propagation) nearly sum­ the large quantities of bark and other material marises European interest in the resources of available for analysis from the dominant tree the New Guinea flora. flora, make the rain forests an attractive sam­ So far, there has been no commercial de­ ple reservoir for organic chemists. Many ofthe velopment of an indigenous New Guinea alkaloid-bearing families, such as Rutaceae, plant as a pharmaceutic agent although the Lauraceae, Loganiaceae, Monimiaceae, Me­ native peoples of the Territory, in common nispermaceae, Apocynaceae (Webb, 1952a), with those of other lands, possess hundreds are characteristic inhabitants of the tropics, of reputed remedies of plant origin. This em­ and are well represented in New Guinea. pirical information has not been systematic­ This prompted a recommendation to the ally recorded, although noteworthy attempts Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Re­ have been made by some interested mission­ search Organization from the Third Australian aries and administration officials. Tropical Phytochemical Conference held in Sydney in countries, such as Africa and South America, May, 1951, that a briefreconnaissance ofNew with rich rain forest floras, have contributed Guinea phytochemical resources and facilities be made, to serve as a basis for a later more 1 Division of Plant Industry, Commonwealth Scien­ tific and Industrial Research Organization, Brisbane, intensive survey, e.g., in conjunction with the Australia. Manuscript received February 23, 1955. Land Research and Regional Survey Section 430 - - ------------------------ - ----. -- -----_.._._------------------------ Phytochemical Survey of Papua - WEBB 431 (C.S.I.R.O.). This recommendation was ap­ Once the botanical affinities ofa plant were proved and the writer and Dr. C. Barnard known, its promise as a source of alkaloids, (Division of Plant Industry, C.S.I.R.O.) spent saponins, etc., could be judged to some ex­ August and September, 1951, in various parts tent, on the basis of experience in the Aus­ of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. tralian Phytochemical Survey. Tasting of Lowland areas near Port Moresby, Popon­ bark, seeds, etc. was freely used as a guide detta, Lae, and Rabaul, and highland areas at (although certain inimical families such as Wau, Aiyura, and Nondugl, were selected as Anacardiaceae were not tested in this way). representative plant communities, accessible For example, bitterness in Lauraceae, particu­ within the brief itinerary planned. Colonel J. larly ifa Cryptocarya, would suggest alkaloids. K. Murray, then Administrator of the Terri­ Bitterness in Rhamnaceae, on the other hand, tory of Papua-New Guinea, and _other ad­ indicates that saponins are likely to be pres­ ministration officials were responsible for ent. With practice, alkaloids and saponins transport and accommodation arrangements. may sometimes be differentiated by taste Following the stimulus to interested people alone. Other field criteria such as colour of provided by this trip, and a subsequent appeal inner bark were used in certain cases. Thus, (Webb, 1952b), several plants reputed to be vivid yellow inner bark in Evodia, Acronychia native remedies were received from New or Melicope (Rutaceae) supplements the evi­ Guinea. Some of these are active pharma­ dence of bitterness that alkaloids (e.g., acri­ cologically and are being examined further. dones) may be present. Among these are possible antibi0tics and If, in terms of the above criteria, the plant plants reputed to cause temporary sterility in was considered of chemical interest, small women. Alkaloids in species of Rutaceae and samples of bark, wood, and leaves (and Monimiaceae have been characterized also. flowers or fruits if available) were collected. These samples, with the exception of wood, METHODS were preserved in envelopes (5 X 8 in.) pressed flat, in large sealed tins (2 gal. capac­ The short time in the field was obviously ity) containing silica gel. In addition, con­ inadequate for systematic collecting and test­ firmatory chemical tests (d., Webb 1949, ing. Nevertheless, a fairly wide coverage was 1952a) were made at field headquarters of obtained of species common in each area. In promising alkaloid plants. About 25 species the field, the procedure was to identify the were then (while in each area) collected in plant, at least to family kvel, and if possible bulk (av. 10-20 lbs.) for detailed analysis in to genus. Because of the hurried nature of Australia. Air-drying and silica gel preserva­ the trip, no effort was made to collect com­ tion were used for these samples. About 300 plete herbarium specimens, although small small samples (serving both for identification wood samples were obtained wherever possi­ and chemical testing) were collected. ble. Thus specific identification of relatively In Brisbane, samples were tested for alka­ few specimens was sacrificed for coverage of loids, using both hydrochloric acid and Prol­ a greater number of plants, many of which lius extracts, according to the methods out­ were identified with certainty at the generic lined by Webb (1949, 1952a). level only. Together with the 300 samples Plants were tested for saponins by the so­ actually collected for spot-testing, and plants called froth test. The finely chopped material tasted or otherwise rejected at sight in the was boiled with water, cooled, and shaken. field, over 600 different species of angio­ The production of a stable, characteristic sperms were examined, chiefly for alkaloids, "honeycomb" froth indicates the presence of during the trip. saponin (cf., Dunstan, 1948). 432 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. IX, October, 1955 The Liebermann-Burchard test was used to TABLE 2 detect the presence of polycyclic substances. SUMMARY OF SPOT-TEST RESULTS A small amount of dried, finely chopped material was treated, on a white spotting tile, ALKALOID FROTH LB FROTH & TOTAL with a few drops of acetic anhydride, then LB TESTED with 1-2 drops of concentrated sulphuric Species .. 27 18 41 17 295 acid. Triterpenoids (in dicotyledons) give Genera .. 19 17 32 16 214 purple and pink colours, which are more Families. 9 13 23 10 78 persistent than the blue shades suggestive of Alkaloids in 9 per cent. saponins in 12 per cent. free triter­ steroids (chieRy in monocotyledons). penoids or steroids 14 per cent. If both froth and Liebermann-Burchard tailed examination for alkaloids, saponins, tests, or froth test only, are positive, saponin pigments, cyanogenetic glycosides and other is probably present. If only Liebermann­ compounds. The present brief survey did not Burchard test is positive, then a free poly­ reveal any alkaloid-bearing families addi­ cyclic substance may be present (Duristan, tional to those found in the Australian survey 1948). (Webb, 1953: 44). Additional genera contain­ Samples were also· tested for aluminium ing alkaloids were found, however. Many accumulation, using the method of Chenery positive genera have species endemic to New (1948), and the results are published else­ Guinea which should be systematically tested. where (Webb, 1954). The complexity ofthe Rora requires search by, In addition, other features of the plants and co-operation with, experienced system­ such as presence of essential oils, foetid smell atic botanists. Also, sampling of quadrats of (e.g., methyl mercaptan), and pigments were adequate area (preferably several hectares), in noted. As specific tests were not applied, these which all species are differentiated, with the data have been omitted. aid of competent natives if botanists are not Samples of reputed medicinal plants were available, would provide both useful phyto­ collected for identification also, and this in­ chemical and ecological data. The relative formation will be published elsewhere. inaccessibility of most areas of New Guinea For convenience, the families in Table 1 requires special provision for on-the-spot dry­ are arranged alphabetically. Brief comments, ing ofbulk samples for analysis, which should in terms of the Australian survey, are made then be transported in air-tight containers.
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