Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric Detection of Narcotine, Papaverine, and Thebaine in Seeds of Papaver somniferum

Abstract

In addition to codeine and morphine, three more compounds: narcotine (noscapine), papaverine, and thebaine were found in Indian and Netherlands poppy seeds (Papaver somniferum L.). The compounds were detected by a GC/MS technique and the identities were confirmed by comparing retention times and ion ratios with the known references. The concentrations of codeine, morphine, thebaine, papaverine, and narcotine were 44, 167, 41, 67, and 230 µg/g in Indian poppy seeds, and were 1.8, 39, 1.0, 0.17, 0.84 µg/g in Netherlands poppy seeds, respectively. Because these compounds may be urinary products after poppy seed consumption, the lowest detectable concentrations of codeine, morphine, thebaine, papaverine, and narcotine in urine are of interest and were found to be 4, 4, 6, 0.4, and 4 ng/ml, respectively. The detection of urinary narcotine, papaverine, or thebaine may be utilized to differentiate poppy seed consumption from illicit codeine, morphine, or heroin use.

Key words

Narcotine - papaverine - thebaine - poppy seeds - GC/MS analysis - urinary detection - Papaver somniferum - Papaveraceae