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In vivo 15N NMR spectra of 15N-labelled Datura stramonium and Nicotiana tabacum transformed root cultures have been obtained. It is shown for the first time that nitrogenous secondary metabolites can be detected using in vivo 15N NMR, and that information can be deduced on the subcellular distribution of nicotine.

In vivo 15N NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the metabolism of [15N]tropinone in transformed root cultures of Datura stramonium. It was shown that, within only 2–4 hr of application of the labelled precursor, labelled metabolites can readily be detected. It was further demonstrated that de-differentiated cultures, derived from the roots by treatment with phytohormones, are capable of metabolising [15N]tropinone to [15N]tropine and simple [15N]tropine esters but that these cultures cannot convert [15N]tropinone to [15N]hyoscyamine.