Poppy Alkaloids Research Articles

Phloem-Specific Expression of Tyrosine/Dopa Decarboxylase Genes and the Biosynthesis of Isoquinoline Alkaloids in Opium Poppy

Phloem-Specific Expression of Tyrosine/Dopa Decarboxylase Genes and the Biosynthesis of Isoquinoline Alkaloids in Opium Poppy

The Absolute Configuration of the Poppy Alkaloid Nudaurine

Abstract The poppy alkaloid, nudaurine, was shown by X-ray crystallography to have an (S)-configuration at C-7 opposite to the configuration previously assigned by oxidative degradation.

Radioimmunoassay determination of six opium alkaloids and its application to plant screening

Radioimmunoassay procedures were developed for the independent and specific determination of sub-nmole quantities of ( S)- and ( R)-reticuline, salutaridine, thebaine, codeine and morphine. Assay parameters for all six poppy alkaloids are given and the synthesis of haptens and tracers in the Ci/mmol range is described. These assays were used to screen herbarium material of 100 Papaver species and to analyse P. somniferum plant populations for alkaloid breeding purposes. The time course of alkaloid appearance during the germination of poppy seeds was also studied.

The Effect of Environmental Factors on Growth, Development and Alkaloid Production of Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Optimum growth of Papaver somniferum cultivars of different origin was observed at 1.6 · 104 lux light intensity under “low temperature” programme (daily rhythm of 12.5/7.5 °C increasing to 18.5/11.5 °C during the vegetation). The maximum of dry matter was also produced in a “low temperature” programme, but at a higher light intensity of 3.2 · 104 lux. At the same time low temperature hindered the development by 10-15 days and modified the ratio of organs: proportion of leaves increased, that of the stems diminished. The alkaloid accumulation in dry capsules was determined by external conditions followed the generative differentiation of apex. The total amount of alkaloids (morphinane + phthalideisoquinoline + benzylisoquinoline) reached a maximum value in a “high temperature” programme under the 3.2 · 104 lux illumination (18.31 mg/g). Under the same illumination level the accumulation was limited by the cold effect. Inside the morphinanes, the ratio of codeine was decreased below 10 %, even in individuals have been evaluated as a codeine-type. Thereby, the importance of light-temperature interaction in the de methylation processes of poppy alkaloids has been proved.

Alkaloids of corn poppy

Alkaloids of corn poppy