Variations in morphine, codeine and thebaine in the capsules of Papaver somniferum L. during maturation

Abstract

During the 1978-79 season, changes in the straw from a commercial and glasshouse-grown crop of Papaver somniferum L. were monitored. The percentage morphine and codeine reached their maximum values of 1.57 % and 0.10% respectively 5 weeks after full bloom under field conditions. Their contents changed little until the 11th week; thereafter losses of 35% and 32% in the morphine and codeine concentrations occurred over a 2 week period. This coincided with comparatively high rainfall and relative humidity, which permitted heavy fungal growth and a 28% decrease in the dry weight per sample of straw. There was a rapid decrease in thebaine concentration during the second week after full bloom, followed by a more gradual decrease up till 13 weeks after full bloom. A total loss of 58 % was recorded over the 13 week period, but there was no rapid loss during the 11-13 week period. Under glasshouse conditions morphine and codeine concentrations increased until the eighth and seventh weeks after full bloom respectively. The morphine concentration after this period showed little change, while that of codeine varied slightly. Their maximum detected concentrations were 1 .89 % and 0.16 % respectively. The thebaine concentration decreased rapidly during the first 5 weeks after full bloom from its highest detected value of 0.59% at week 2.