Datura (Datura metel) (Datura metel)

Datura metel is not consumed as a food source and thus lacks conventional macronutrient or micronutrient nutritional value in the dietary sense. Its profile is dominated by bioactive alkaloids and secondary metabolites rather than traditional nutrients. Key bioactive compounds include: (1) Tropane alkaloids — total alkaloid content ranges from 0.2% to 0.45% dry weight in leaves and seeds; scopolamine (hyoscine) at approximately 0.06–0.3% dry weight, atropine (dl-hyoscyamine) at 0.02–0.2% dry weight, and hyoscyamine as the primary enantiomeric constituent. Seed alkaloid concentration tends to be highest among plant parts. (2) Withanolides — steroidal lactones including Daturametelin B, Daturametelin C, and Baimantuoluoline D (the latter demonstrating LC50 of 46.1636 µg/ml in cytotoxicity assays); total withanolide content estimated at 0.01–0.05% dry weight in aerial parts. (3) Flavonoids — including quercetin and kaempferol glycosides at trace concentrations (~0.1–0.5 mg/g dry weight). (4) Phenolic acids — chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid derivatives present at approximately 0.5–2.0 mg/g dry weight. (5) Fixed oils in seeds — comprising approximately 20–25% of seed weight, with fatty acid composition including oleic acid (~30%), linoleic acid (~40%), and palmitic acid (~15%). (6) Proteins in seeds — approximately 15–18% crude protein by dry weight, though consumption is contraindicated. (7) Carbohydrates and fiber — seeds contain approximately 30–35% total carbohydrates and 5–8% crude fiber, but again, not relevant for dietary purposes. Bioavailability note: Tropane alkaloids are rapidly absorbed through mucous membranes, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract, with scopolamine demonstrating higher CNS penetration than atropine due to greater lipophilicity. The therapeutic-to-toxic ratio is extremely narrow; all parts of the plant are considered highly toxic and no part is approved for direct human consumption or self-medication.