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
