Spatial and temporal distribution of the alkaloid sanguinarine in Sanguinaria canadensis L. (Bloodroot)

Acclimated and non-acclimated potted plants of Sanguinaria canadensis L. were harvested at early and late dormancy, anthesis, and immature and mature fruiting stages. Sanguinarine content and concentration were determined for rhizomes (distal, proximal, and middle sections), roots, leaves, flower, and fruit. Rhizomes had highest sanguinarine content and concentrations, and exhibited decreasing concentration gradients from the distal to proximal third. Concentrations in roots were a tenth of rhizome concentration. Concentrations in leaves, flowers, and fruit were one-thousandth of rhizome Sanguinarine content in whole acclimated plants was constant. Content in whole nonacclimated plants increased as the plant became physiologically active, but was constant during fruit maturation: content in roots, leaves, and fruit did not change. The substantial increase in whole-plant dry weight coupled with the unchanging sanguinarine content during fruit maturation suggests either a shift in photosynthate allocation from defense to growth, or a constant turnover of sanguinarine.