Grant: Engage Grants Program

The project involves the development of an extraction and purification procedure for the isolation of thepharmaceutical agent, Galantamine hydrobromide, from the stems of daffodils. Galantamine hydrobromide isan FDA approved cholinesterase inhibitor, widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Currently, thecompound is extracted from the bulbs of daffodils using petroleum-based organic solvents which are both toxicand damaging to our environment. This project aims to develop a protocol for extraction and purification thatwill eliminate the need for such toxic solvents by incorporating solid-phase and continuous-flow extractionsinto the current methodology. We have thus entered into a collaborative effort with PH Quantum Inc., anestablished analytical laboratory with experience in development of preparative and analytical methods and arewell furnished with the sophisticated analytical instrumentation that is necessary for this project. Additionally,Galantamine will be extracted from the stems of a specialized plant breed of daffodils which contains highlevels of the target compound as opposed to daffodil bulbs. As well, the purification of other medicinally activecompounds, which otherwise would be treated as by-products, will also be attempted to both minimize wastewhile providing additional, useful chemical products. If a successful process is developed, it will provide anall-Canadian source of this valuable pharmaceutical, while stimulating the local agricultural industry.