What Are The Common Theories Proposed For The Existence Of Alkaloid?
The occurrence of alkaloids is very common in plant kingdom – nearly 10 to 15 percent of plants consist of alkaloid. Till date, several approaches have been made in order to find out the reason behind the commonness of alkaloids; however, researchers have not come into any solid conclusion whatsoever. One theory suggests that plants basically get rid off excess nitrogen from their system by means of excreting it in the form of alkaloid. This resembles the mechanism of urine formation and secretion as it happens in the case of human and other mammals. The human and other mammals convert excess nitrogen into urea and excrete in the form of urine from the body. Another theory suggests that alkaloids are basically those substances that plants produce for future use. One significant hypothesis regarding the adaptation of alkaloid suggests that alkaloid production actually keeps the insects and animals away from plants by means of discouraging them to eat it. This corresponds with the poison
