Harman in human platelets

Abstract The β-carbolines present in human platelets have been extracted with diethyl ether, isolated by liquid column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and identified by ultraviolet fluorimetry, gas liquid chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Harman (1-methyl-β-carboline) was the only β-carboline unequivocally identified in platelet samples with these techniques. Since harman is thought to be biosynthesized by the condensation of tryptamine and acetaldehyde, its formation may be of importance in the metabolism and the pharmacological-toxicological actions of alcohol.