CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETECTION OF SESQUITERPENE LACTONES IN PARTHENIUM PLANTS FROM NORTHWEST ARGENTINA

Several chloroformic extracts containing some sesquiterpene lactones from autochtonous plants of Parthenium hysterophorus, collected in the province of Salta (Argentina), were separated and identified by high performance reversed-phase liquid chromatography with C18 column and propanol-water mobile phases, using gradient elution and concentrations of propanol larger than 10% (v/v). Lactones previously purified and characterized by H1 RMN, C13 RMN, IR, and mass spectrometry, were used as standards. The objective of the study was to check if the nature of the lactones was modified according to the altitude of the region where the plants were grown. Among the lactones, five were already descri…