Alkylamides of<i>Echinacea purpurea</i>L. as Influenced by Plant Ontogony and Fertilization

Abstract

ABSTRACT HPLC investigation of the alkylamides in Echinacea purpurea L. cultivated in Egypt indicated the alkylamide content of the vegetative tissue decreased as the plant matured, but progressively accumulated in the roots, reaching a maximum at the plant fruiting stage. Treatment with relatively high levels of nitrogen and low potassium produced the highest yields and increased the alkylamide content in the plant tissues. The observed, proportional composition of the alkylamide mixture was characteristic for the plant part and was essentially stable with growth and fertilizer treatments.