Opium Samples Research Articles

Forensic Identification of Opium by Computerized Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Opium, the dried exudate of unripe capsules of the opium ,poppy (Papaver somniferum L.), is a complex mixture containing up to 25 different alkaloids in varying amounts [1]; yet it is a mixture whose identification is frequently demanded in forensic laboratories, Of the 25 alkaloids, only five are generally present in significant quantities in crude opium: morphine (Ia; about 10 percent); codeine (Ib),thebaine (II), papaverine (III), and narcotine (IV)—each present in amounts varying from 0.5 to 5 percent. At present forensic identification of suspected opium relies heavily upon general characteristics of the mixture, such as chemical spot tests, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography. Obtaining good spectral data on the major alkaloids present in these mixtures has been precluded, however, due to the difficulty of isolating any of these compounds in reasonably pure form [2]. This difficulty can be overcome with combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), whose ability to produce spectral data from the constituents of small quantities of complex mixtures already has led to significant advances in the area of drug identification [3–7]. This paper describes a method using computerized GC/MS for the identification of suspected opium samples.

New paper chromatographic separation of microquantities of opium alkaloids.

A paper Chromatographic technique on salt-buffered papers for separating the alkaloids of opium has been devised. The method has been used for determining the origin of opium samples by studying the pattern of theRf values of the alkaloids present and the effect on it produced by the presence of various adulterants.

Determination of Trace Elements in Opium by Means of Activation Analysis

Summary Many methods have been advocated for the determination of the origin of opium, but so far no research has been reported on the possibilities of such studies by means of radiochemical methods applied to the opium ash. In the present investigation the gold and lanthanide content in samples of opium ash has been studied using neutron activation analysis. The gold content was found to vary from about 0,5 to 10 ppm and the total rare earths content from about 20 to 150 ppm. Large variations are found in the distribution pattern of the individual rare earths in opium samples from different origin. The results are discussed and indicate that activation analysis may be used to indentify the origin of opium samples.

Some Possibilities for a Rough Estimation of the Age of Iranian Opium

On account of the recent prohibition of opium production in Iran, the possibilities for determining the age of seized Iranian opium may be of considerable interest in the present campaign against illicit traffic and use of opium in that country. On the basis of some alterations in physical and chemical aspect, observed to occur in opium samples of various ages, a rapid empirical method is suggested, combining colour reading of buffered opium extracts and microscopic examination. Due to the variability of factors affecting the alteration process, only a rough estimation of the age of Iranian opium seems to be possible.

Amino Acids in Opium

Crude opium and fresh poppy latex have been found to contain a large number of free amino acids in addition to polypeptides liberating amino acids on hydrolysis. The relative amounts of the various amino acids differ for opium samples from several different geographic regions. This suggests that the amino acid composition may be suitable as a means of origin determination.

Determination of the Origin of Opium by means of the Composition of the Ash

METHODS of determining the source of opium samples are urgently required as an aid in tightening control measures and suppressing illegal production in those areas of the world where the illicit traffic in opium originates. The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 1948–49 authorized research into devising chemical methods of identifying opium, and invited member Governments to participate in such a programme.