by Kwok Chiu Nga. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 1-3 (4th gp.)). / Abstract also in Chinese. / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.iv / 摘要 --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / ABBREVIATION --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- RESEARCH BACKGROUND / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Alkaloids --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Diterpenoid alkaloids --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Aconitine-type alkaloids --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Toxicity --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Safety concerns --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2 --- Summary of the Previous Work --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives and Outline of the Present Work --- p.13 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- INSTRUMENTATION AND EXPERIMENTAL / Chapter 2.1 --- Instrumentation --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Triple-stage quadrupole (TSQ) mass spectrometer --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Electrospray ionization (ESI) --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Quadrupole system --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2.4 --- Ion detection system --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.2.5 --- Data system --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Experimental --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Sample and reagents --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Sample preparation --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- High performance liquid chromatography conditions --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Mass spectrometry conditions --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization conditions --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- Electrospray ionization conditions --- p.25 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- SELECTION AND OPTIMIZATION OF HPLC/MS METHOD / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2 --- Experimental --- p.29 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.29 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Triethylamine concentration --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Ammonium acetate concentration --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Acetic acid concentration --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- HPLC/MS interface --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- MS/MS conditions --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusions --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- DETERMINATION OF ACONITINE-TYPE ALKALOIDS IN ACONITE ROOTS / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2 --- Experimental --- p.48 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Selection of internal standard --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Method validation --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Precision of measurement --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Accuracy of measurement --- p.50 / Chapter 4.3.2.3 --- Limits of detection and quantitation --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Determination of aconitine-type alkaloids in aconite roots --- p.58 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusions --- p.60 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusions --- p.67 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future Work --- p.68 / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.A1 / APPENDIX --- p.A2 / REFERENCES --- p.R1

Bibliography: leaves 87-96. This thesis investigates non-proteinaceous low molecular weight flavonoid and alkaloid compounds in Scurulla oortiana (Korth.) Danser grown on Camellia sinens. Three flavonols are identified in S. oortiana (Korth.) Danser growing on different hosts. The identification and characterisation of these flavonoids are carried out using various chromatographic and spectrometric procedures. Two purine alkaloids are isolated from and identified in S. oortiana (Korth.) Danser parasitizing tea plant, C. Sinensis. The antifungal activity of the phenolic compounds isolated from mistletoe parasitizing tea plant is examined.