Poppy Straw Research Articles

Source Apportionment of Morphine in Wastewater

It is a new approach to identify legal or illegal use of morphine through information on municipal wastewater. However, the sources of morphine in wastewater are complex, and distinguishing the contribution of different sources has become a key issue. A total of 262 influent samples from 61 representative wastewater treatment plants in a typical city were collected from October 2022 to March 2023. The concentrations of morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine, noscapine, and monoacetylmorphine were analyzed in wastewater and poppy straws. Combined with the proportion of alkaloids in poppy straws, the source analysis of alkaloids in wastewater was analyzed using the ratio method and positive matrix factorization model (PMF). Only five alkaloids were detected in wastewater, and monoacetylmorphine, a metabolite of heroin, was not detected. The concentrations of morphine and codeine were significantly higher than those of noscapine, papaverine, and thebaine. By constructing the ratios of codeine/(morphine + codeine) and noscapine/(noscapine + codeine), the source of poppy straw could be qualitatively distinguished. The PMF results showed that three sources of morphine for medical use, poppy straw, and codeine contributed 44.9%, 43.7%, and 9.4%, respectively. The different sources varied in these months due to the COVID-19 and influenza A outbreaks, in which the use of drugs containing poppy straws and codeine was the main source, whereas the use of morphine analgesics remained relatively stable. Inventory analysis further demonstrated the reliability of the source contributions from the PMF model, and morphine was not abused in this city.

Категоричний негативний висновок в експертизі наркотичних засобів

The article examines the rationale for an expert's categorical negative opinion on the example of an expert study of narcotic drugs from the poppy plant. The plant mass submitted for examination, which by its external features resembles poppy straw, was examined by microscopic and chemical methods. The microscopic examination revealed anatomical and morphological elements characteristic of poppy sleeping pills, which is the basis for classifying the substance under investigation as poppy straw. According to the List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors, poppy straw containing narcotically active opium alkaloids is a narcotic drug. To confirm the presence of narcotically active opium alkaloids in poppy straw, the study was carried out by microscopic and thin-layer chromatography. As a result of the study, it was established that the poppy straw provided for the study did not contain any narcotically active opium alkaloids, and, therefore, was not a narcotic drug. The absence of opium alkaloids can be explained by the multiple extraction of poppy straw, as evidenced by its appearance, colour and smell of the solvent. The study of the residues of a dark brown substance from the surface of the dishes was carried out by thin-layer chromatography according to the standard method. As a result of the study, trace amounts of morphine, which is a narcotic drug, were found. The results of the study provided a categorical negative conclusion, which may be the basis for closing the criminal proceedings. The presence of a small amount of morphine in the substance on the surface of the dishes does not significantly affect this decision. Key words: categorical negative conclusion, forensic examination of narcotic drugs,narcotic drug, poppy straw, anatomical and morphological elements of poppy, opium alkaloids, extraction of poppy straw, microscopic method, thin-layer chromatography method.

Способи сепарації на підготовчій стадії проведення криміналістичної експертизи речових доказів

In expert practice, questions often arise related to the separation (separation) of research objects from a mixture of dissimilar particles of solid materials, liquids of different densities, emulsions, two-phase media. During the study, physical and chemical separation methods are used. The choice of the separation method depends on the percentage composition and properties of the mixture and its constituent components. Expert research is carried out using various methods of separation: by mass (inertial), by size, electrical, magnetic, radiometric, photometric, etc. Chemical separation is its separate type. Analysis of expert practice indicates that separation is mainly applied during the forensic investigation of metals and alloys (solids), drugs (solids, liquid substances) and petroleum products (liquid substances). The article analyzes the methods of separation at the preparatory stage of the expert study of microparticles of precious metals and handicraft drugs. Forensic investigation of metal and alloy products is one of the most difficult, since the detection and separation of microparticles of the metal under study from other metal particles and their subsequent identification require the use of both chemical and instrumental research methods. The separation of the metal under study from the mixture of other metal particles was carried out by the method of mechanical and magnetic separation and chemical (selective dissolution) separation. During the expert study of acetylated opium using chromatographic methods, difficulties often arise associated with the separation of components due to the presence of a large amount of ballast substances (in particular, chlorophyll) extracted from poppy straw in acetylated opium. The use of an inertial separation method makes it possible to speed up the separation of an aqueous solution of a narcotic drug emulsion and an extracting organic solvent.

Qualification of illegal drug trafficking as part of commercial products

The subject of the study is criminological, historical, legal and international legal aspects of regulating the turnover of seeds of the oilseed food poppy Papaver somniferum Linnaeus and the problems of qualifying the facts of the presence of an admixture of poppy straw in their composition. The global indicators of the public danger of illicit trafficking in opioids and domestic indicators of the state of drug crime during the period of the ban on the cultivation of oilseed poppy are analyzed. The materials of judicial practice were studied in order to establish the formalized grounds for the legal assessment of the presence of a weed impurity in the form of poppy straw in specific legal relations in the composition of the food poppy product. The provisions of state standards on the quality of food poppy in the context of competition resolution of technical regulations and criminal procedure legislation are considered. The absence of uniform law enforcement decisions has been established when, under comparable circumstances, an admixture of poppy straw in the composition of a food poppy is recognized as a commodity as the subject of an administrative offense, a narcotic as the subject of a crime or as a set of objects of crimes – narcotic drugs in the form of natural alkaloids of the narcotic drug itself. On the basis of the UN Convention of 1961 and the resolutions of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts of the Russian Federation, proposals were made to exclude the provisions of legal fiction from the legislation in the field of drug trafficking regulation and to improve criminal legislation in terms of clarifying the content of the concepts of mixture and drug.

METHODS OF SEPARATION AT THE PREPARATORY STAGE OF CRIMINAL EXAMINATION OF MATERIAL EVIDENCE

In expert practice, questions often arise related to the separation of research objects from a mixture of dissimilar particles of solid materials, liquids of different densities, emulsions, and two-phase media. During the study, physical and chemical separation methods are used. The choice of the separation method depends on the percentage composition and properties of the mixture and its constituent components. Expert research is carried out using various separation methods: by mass (inertial), by size, electrical, magnetic, radiometric, photometric, etc. Chemical separation is its separate type. The analysis of expert practice indicates that separation is mainly applied during the forensic investigation of metals and alloys (solids), drugs (solids, liquid substances) and petroleum products (liquid substances). The article analyzes the methods of separation at the preparatory stage of the expert study of micro-particles of precious metals and handicraft drugs. Forensic investigation of products made of metals and alloys is one of the most difficult, since the detection and separation of micro-particles of the metal under study from other metal particles and their subsequent identification require the use of both chemical and instrumental research methods. The separation of the metal under study from the mixture of other metal particles was carried out by the method of mechanical and magnetic separation and chemical (selective dissolution) separation. In the course of the expert study opium acetylated using chromatographic methods difficulties often arise associated with separation of components due to the presence of large amounts of acetylated opium extractable from poppy straw ballast substances (in particular chlorophyll). The use of an inertial separation method makes it possible to speed up the separation of an aqueous solution of a narcotic drug emulsion and an extracting organic solvent.

Methods of inspection and destruction of a multi-ton batch of poppy straw

Methods of inspection and destruction of a multi-ton batch of poppy straw

Narcotic Drug Smell Mimics for Dog Training at Cynological Departments: Composition, Principle of Action, and Legal Frame work of their Use

Introduction. Involvement of cynological departments to narcotics identification is widely used due to high sensitivity of canine olfaction. Problem Statement. Currently, cynological departments of the MIA of Ukraine can use the samples of original narcotics in detector dogs learning and training for the purpose of developing or maintaining of the corresponding skill. However, narcotics are the substances under control; therefore, special normative procedures for their obtaining, usage, storage, and utilization exist. This order greatly complicates dogs training. The use of original narcotics is reasonable in special cynological schools during basic learning of detector dogs. Further training in departments is oriented to maintain skills and, as a rule, is carried out using pseudo narcotic scents, which does not contain original narcotics and does not possess narcotic activity. Majority of such pseudo narcotic scents is of foreign production and are expensive. This fact does not allow to provide with training aids all the cynological departments of the MIA of Ukraine. Moreover, these pseudo narcotic scents are of limited range. Purpose. The purpose of this research is to develop domestic pseudo narcotic scents with extended range, which would not possess narcotic activity, but have similar odor properties like original narcotics and are cheaper in comparison to foreign counterparts. Materials and Methods. Pseudo narcotic scents of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, opium, and poppy straw were developed. These training aids consist of inert carrying agent and volatile organic impurities from narcotics. These training aids were tested with involvement of 12 detector dogs of the cynological departments of the National Policy of Ukraine and State border service of Ukraine. Results. Pseudo narcotic canine training aids for cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, opium, and poppy straw were created and tested with detector dogs. It was shown that odorological profile of pseudo scents agreed with original narcotics. Conclusions. Pseudo narcotic scents which are perspective for introduction into production and further usage as canine training aids in cynological departments have been established.

The nanobiocomposites synthesis from biomass and its characterization

This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of using hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as reinforcement in natural fibres obtained from hazelnut shell (F) and poppy straw (H). Raw materials were treated with alkali to enrich the cellulose content by removing lignin and hemicellulose. The nanobiocomposite synthesis was performed with 4% and 8% of hBN. Lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses contents of biomass were determined. Cellulose content was almost increased 3-fold and 2-fold after pretreatment of hazelnut shell (FCell) and poppy straw (HCell), respectively. Strong bands at 812 and 1380cm-1 corresponding to hBN were observed in the FTIR. SEM images showed that hBN is retained on the pretreated natural fibres. Adsorbed hBN on the structure was highest in the microcrystalline cellulose (Cell) (91.5%), followed by FCell (80.5%) and HCell (50.5%). Nanobiocomposites containing lignocellulose and hBN may be recommended for use in polymer matrix structures where thermal properties need to be altered.

Genetics of alkaloids in poppy straw with other morphological traits in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Opium poppy belongs to the family − ‘Papaveraceae’ and is well known mainly for its pharmaceutically important alkaloids and seeds. In order to delineate the gene-effects conditioning the expression of seed yield and straw alkaloids, six crosses viz. IS 14×Sampada, I 14×Mtu, Sampada×Sujata, CIM Ajay×Dfr 44, Sapna×Sanchita and SPS 49×TS 1 involving the eleven parents, were sampled for P1, P2 and F1 (=P1×P2) non segregating, and F2 (=F1), BCP1 (=F1×P1), and BCP2 (=F1×P2) segregating generations. The days to flowering (50%) and plant height showed all the three type of interactions (i, j, l) in three crosses, namely C1 − IS 14×Sampada and C2 − I 14×Mtu but the traits peduncle length, codeine and thebaine content showed in other three crosses as C1 − IS 14×Sampada,C2 − I 14×Mtu,C3 − Sampada×Sujata and C4 − CIM Ajay×Dfr 44 in order. The two type of interactions additive×additive and additive×dominance interactions (i, j,) exhibited by the C6 − SPS 49×TS 1 for plant height and thebaine content, C5 − Sapna×Sanchita for peduncle length, codeine and narcotine content. The genetic basis of character expression indicated that the interacting crosses showing non-allelic interactions particularly duplicate epistasis in most of the crosses. While most of those without epistatic interactions exhibited superiority over parental mean. On the basis of study results the two specific cross combinations like Sampada×Sujata and CIMAP Ajay×Dfr 44 are selected to ensure tangible superiority for the most economic traits like high seed yield and poppy straw/capsule husk alkaloids including other contributing traits also like early flowering, capsule index for poppy crop improvement programme.

Biogas production from chicken manure: Co-digestion with spent poppy straw

Co-digestion of chicken manure (laying hens) and spent poppy straw was investigated in a daily fed laboratory scale mesophilic anaerobic digester. The digester was operated for 240 days and the methane yield was monitored by increasing the organic loading rate (OLR) from 2.78 to 3.56 g VS l−1d−1 and the total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) up to 6650 mg l−1. The highest methane yield of 0.36 l g VS−1 was obtained when the TAN and free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) concentrations were below 4000 and 300 mg l−1, respectively. The results showed that microbial consortia were acclimated to high ammonia concentrations and a methane yield of about 0.28 l g VS−1 was achieved up to 6100 mg l−1of TAN. When the TAN concentration in the digester increased above 6500 mg l−1, the methane yield sharply decreased below 0.14 l g VS−1.

A study on the isotope composition of carbon 13C in poppy seeds and narcotic poppy straw present in the same package aimed at the revelation of the possible artificial superinducements of a narcotic substance

The rise in crime associated with the illicit trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances is one of the most severe problems in Russia today. In recent years, cases of using seeds of poppy plant “masked as food,” the bulk of which contains macroparticles of poppy straw visible to an unaided eye and which can be used as raw materials for the preparation of narcotic substances have become more frequent. In his work, using a Delta V Advantage isotopic mass spectrometer, we proposed criteria based on which tone can reveal artificial superinducements of poppy straw into “food” poppy seeds or their absence.

Семена мака — пищевой продукт или наркотик?

The article is devoted to the much-debated issue of whether it is appropriate to initiate criminal proceedings for actions with poppy seeds contaminated by particles of poppy straw and coagulated milky sap. It analyzes the point of view stated by Doctor of Law E.A. Lukyanova on this matter, provides an analysis of international treaties and Russian normative legal acts regulating trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and issues of combatting illicit trafficking therein.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Morphine from Capsules of Papaver somniferum by Response Surface Methodology.

In this study, amount of morphine from poppy capsules (Papaver somniferum) was investigated using ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE). Response surface methodology was used to estimate effective experimental conditions on the content extraction of poppy capsules. For this purpose, solvent/solid ratio (10–20 mL/500 mg sample), pH (1–13), time (30–60 min), and temperature (30–50°C) were chosen as experimental variables. The affected response is extraction recovery values for morphine from poppy straw. For interpreting the relationship between experimental factors and response, a design table was established with combinations of three different concentrations levels of this compound in 29 trials. The second order quadratic model gave a satisfactory description of the experimental data. In our study, R-Squared (0.96), Adj-R-Squared (0.92), and Pred R-Squared (0.78) values for extraction yield display good accuracy of the derived model. The predicted optimal conditions for the highest morphine level (3.38 mg morphine/500 mg-sample) were found at 19.99 mL solvent/500 mg solid ratio, 59.94 min extraction time, 1.10 pH, and 42.36°C temperature. In the optimal extraction conditions, the experimental values are very close to the predicted values. Consequently, the response surface modeling can be achieved sufficiently to predict extraction yield from poppy straw by ultrasound assisted extraction.

Progress in Efforts To Harness Yeast for Making Opioid Drugs

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, more commonly known as baker's yeast, is being developed as a means for producing opioid-based drugs, with the long-term goal of making those drugs from glucose instead of extracting them from poppy plants, according to Christina Smolke at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., and her collaborators. They recently reported progress toward that goal after inserting genes from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum, as well as other genes from Pseudomonas putida M10, which grows on poppy straw waste, into yeast cells—enabling them to produce opioids from intermediates that poppy plants make relatively early in that metabolic pathway and to do so with improved efficiency. Details appear October 2014 in Nature Chemical Biology (doi:10.1038/nchembio.1613).

SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF THERAPEUTIC USES OF OPIUM POPPY (PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM) IN AYURVEDA

Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) is a member of the Papaveraceae family. It is indigenous of south east of Europe and Asia. It is cultivated all over the world and there is not any wild type of this species. It is widely grown as an ornamental flower throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. Until now more than 40 different alkaloids have been known in this species which the most important ones are morphine, codeine, thebaine, and noscapine. Alkaloids are affected with genetical characteristics and environmental conditions. Poppy seeds are an important food item and the source of poppy seed oil, healthy edible oil that has many uses. The most important application of papaver alkaloids is due to their analgesic properties. Use of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) as a medicinal plant has been described in the ancient literature of Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda). Primarily, purified opium (dried latex from the plant capsule) is described to be the major therapeutic (for treating dysentary, diarrohea, spasms, pain etc.) component. Purification of opium has been described vividly in Ayurveda. Purified opium has been described to balance Vata and Kapha, Doshas and enhance Pitta Dosha. Although it is well known that opium contains analgesic (morphine, codeine, thebaine) as well as other therapeutic (sanguinarine, papaverine etc.) alkaloids, the exact molecular basis for all its properties described in Ayurveda is yet to be elucidated. This is one of the required needs for Ayurveda-guided future pharmacological research on opium. Nevertheless, the present day pharmaceutical market already sells certain opium-derived Ayurvedic formulations (like Karpur Ras). However it is pertinent to note that cultivation of gum varieties of opium poppy and collection of latex is not prevalent in most of the countries except India. Since other countries practice CPS (concentrate of poppy straw) cultivation, it is also important to evaluate the poppy straw for Ayurveda-based uses, which will help to popularize Ayurveda globally. This paper aims to discuss the details of uses of opium described in Ayurveda and provides the future perspective for scientifically validating the same.

Evaluation of Selected Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) Cultivars: Industrial Aspect

Fifty-six genotypes (usually cultivars) of various origins, from twelve countries, were analysed for morphine production and significant characteristics of the capsule. The Saaty’s method was used to analyse the aspect of morphine production and significant characteristics of the capsule, comparing those values representing significant indicators for that production and the content of morphine in poppy straw. This covered the relation to ideotype (‘ideotype cultivar’) of poppy, with 100% values in the monitored indicators. In the case of white-seed poppies, generally with a lower content of morphine, in three cultivars (´Pulawski bialy´, ´Bělosemenný´, ´Bulharský slepak bilý´) the value of the industrial indicator was determine over 50% and the content of morphine over 0.50% in the poppy straw. In the set of blue-seed cultivars with three production levels, four cultivars were found with values exceeding 80% of the industrial indicator and morphine in poppy straw over 0.90%. In the set of grey-seed cultivars, four production levels were identified based on the values of morphine and the industrial indicator, while the first two showed good values for production - at least 0.52% of morphine in poppy straw and 50% of the industrial indicator (for example ´Soproni tef´, ´Sarisský´)

Genetics and Inheritance Pattern of Heterosis in Impact of Genetic Divergence in Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Fifty land races were collected from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan in India. 19 genetic stocks were examined for genetic diversity to identify parents for hybridization. Eventually, n2 diallel cross progenies were generated from the five diverse parents. Both additive and non-additive genetic variances were observed. The role of extra-nuclear factors such as cytoplasmic inheritance was very perceptible. The association between heterosis and average divergence was not very distinct. These parents also manifested better combining ability in desirable direction. After field evaluation trials, one recombinant from the heterotic hybrid 1×4 was released as concentrated poppy straw variety CIMAP AJAY in 2011.

Microbe associated molecular patterns from rhizosphere bacteria trigger germination and Papaver somniferum metabolism under greenhouse conditions

Ten PGPR from different backgrounds were assayed on Papaver somniferum var. Madrigal to evaluate their potential as biotic elicitors to increase alkaloid content under the rationale that some microbe associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) are able to trigger plant metabolism. First, the 10 strains and their culture media at two different concentrations were tested for their ability to trigger seed germination. Then, the best three strains were tested for their ability to increase seedling growth and alkaloid levels under greenhouse conditions. Only three strains and their culture media enhanced germination. Then, germination enhancing capacity of these best three strains, N5.18 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Aur9 Chryseobacterium balustinum and N21.4 Pseudomonas fluorescens was evaluated in soil. Finally, the three strains were applied on seedlings at two time points, by soil drench or by foliar spray. Photosynthesis was measured, plant height was recorded, capsules were weighted and alkaloids analyzed by HPLC. Only N5.18 delivered by foliar spray significantly increased plant height coupled to an increase in total alkaloids and a significant increase in opium poppy straw dry weight; these increases were supported by a better photosynthetic efficiency. The relative contents of morphine, thebaine, codeine and oripavine were affected by this treatment causing a significant increase in morphine coupled to a decrease in thebaine, demonstrating the effectivity of MAMPs from N5.18 in this plant species. Considering the increase in capsule biomass and alkaloids together with the acceleration of germination, strain N5.18 appears as a good candidate to elicit plant metabolism and consequently, to increase productivity of Papaver somniferum.

Analysis of selected poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) cultivars: Pharmaceutically important alkaloids

The content of pharmaceutically important alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and narcotine) was analysed in the empty poppy capsules (poppy straw) of fifteen selected cultivars of Papaver somniferum. By applying the cluster analysis and k-means methods, four clusters representing the sets of cultivars with a defined level of production of the selected alkaloids were determined, based on their similarities.The content of individual minor alkaloids, which was obtained was relatively low (0.00–0.17%) and in some cases negligible, defined by the dominant representation of morphine in the alkaloid spectrum of all selected cultivars. In addition to the high-morphine cultivar ‘Buddha’ (mean 1.64%), there was a middle content (mean 0.79%) or low content (mean 0.61%) of morphine in the cultivars included in clusters 2 and 3 (average of 3 consecutive years 2007, 2008 and 2009). A relatively high content of morphine was detected in cultivar ‘Böhmův bělosemenný’ (mean 0.91%), although it is usually published that white-seed cultivars contain less morphine and other alkaloids, compared to blue-seed or grey-seed cultivars. Low content of morphine (mean 0.48% resp. 0.44%) by relatively high content of narcotine (mean 0.11% resp. 0.15%) was obtained in poppy cultivars ‘Danneborg’ and ‘Tatarstan’. Also, surprisingly the highest papaverine content (mean 0.07%) was detected in the cultivar ‘Sušický červenosemenný’ with the lowest content of morphine (mean 0.34%).

Development and Validation of a Reversed-Phase HPLC Method for Determination of Alkaloids from Papaver somniferum L. (Papaveraceae)

An HPLC method for the separation of six target alkaloids from Papaver somniferum L. (morphine, codeine, oripavine, thebaine, papaverine, and noscapine) was developed, optimized, and validated. The chromatographic behavior of these alkaloids was investigated using a reversed-phase chromatography at acidic and alkaline pH. The effects of ion-pairing agents, pH value of the mobile phase, concentration of the buffer components, mobile phase organic modifier, and column temperature were studied. Regardless of the large differences in their pKa values, all alkaloids were separated within a close retention window, and good peak shape was achieved for each of the six alkaloids. The proposed method has adequate selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and reproducibility and is applicable for poppy straw.