Meconic acid and alkaloids in Papaver somniferum and P. bracteatum.

Meconic acid (C (7)H (4) O (7)) has an unusually low H content in relation to C and O; it seems also to be restricted to Papaver species which characteristically produce morphinanes. The suggestion that it is an energy exhausted product of the citric acid cycle whose formation controls alkaloid production has been investigated. Using HPLC methods the concentrations of meconic acid and of alkaloids in the latex have been shown to vary significantly during the day suggesting active metabolism but little firm evidence of formation of meconic acid from fumarate or pyruvate was obtained.

Papaver bracteatum Lindley: thebaine content in relation to plant development.

Four thebaine-rich varieties of P. bracteatum have been grown in the open over two seasons and the thebaine distribution in aerial parts examined to determine the most suitable source material for commercial production. The leaves contained only 0-1 to 0-15%; the capsules 0-5 to 3-0% and the bled latex 28 to 53%.

The determination of thebaine in Papaver bracteatum Lindl by gas-liquid chromatography.

Several solvents have been examined in the process of developing a convenient method for extracting powdered material and removing interfering pigments to produce an extract of Papaver bracteatum suitable for g.l.c.