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Oripavine - a new opium alkaloid
B Nielsen1, J Röe, E Brochmann-Hanssen
1Weiders Farmasöytiske A/S, Oslo 1, Norway.
Oripavine was successfully isolated from dried Papaver somniferum capsules grown in Tasmania. This research details the extraction of this important alkaloid from a specific poppy variety.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacognosy
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Botany
Background:
- Papaver somniferum, commonly known as the opium poppy, is a source of various alkaloids.
- Oripavine is an alkaloid found in Papaver somniferum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify oripavine from a specific cultivar of Papaver somniferum.
- To document the presence of oripavine in Tasmanian-cultivated poppy.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Papaver somniferum in Tasmania.
- Harvesting and drying of poppy capsules.
- Extraction and isolation of oripavine from plant material.
Main Results:
- Oripavine was successfully isolated from the dried capsules.
- The source material was identified as a specific variety of Papaver somniferum cultivated in Tasmania.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the presence and successful isolation of oripavine from Tasmanian-grown Papaver somniferum.
- This finding contributes to the understanding of alkaloid distribution in cultivated poppy varieties.
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