The biosynthesis of the alkaloids of Conium maculatum (hemlock) has been studied using C14-labeled compounds. The alkaloids obtained from hemlock plants which had been fed DL-lysine-2-C'“or~ adaverine-l, 5-C'~ had negligible activity. On the other hand, the administration of sodium acetate-l-C14 to the plants led to the formation of radioactive coniine and conhydrine. A systematic degradation of the coniine established that almost ...
