Open AccessMorphine content variation in Papaver somniferum L. as affected by the presence of some isoquinoline alkaloids
Author(s) -
NYMAN ULF,
HANSSON BODIL
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
hereditas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1601-5223
pISSN - 0018-0661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5223.1978.tb01597.x
Subject(s) - benzylisoquinoline , papaver , morphine , isoquinoline , noscapine , papaverine , alkaloid , thebaine , papaveraceae , biology , sanguinarine , botany , horticulture , codeine , chemistry , stereochemistry , pharmacology , biochemistry , biosynthesis , enzyme , endocrinology
The variation in morphine content has been investigated in some different varieties of Papaver somniferum , attention being paid to the presence of phtalide‐ and benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Generally a higher morphine content was found in varieties where phtalideisoquinoline alkaloids were absent. The presence of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids exerted no influence on the morphine content. In the investigated varieties, of which the majority are used for morphine production, 75 per cent contained phtalideisoquinoline alkaloids. Thus, by excluding these alkaloids, further improvements of the morphine content are possible. Crosses between plants with and without noscapine resulted in a progeny lacking this alkaloid. On papaverine being investigated in a similar manner, the progeny was found to give an intermediary content.