Study of the concentration of the herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-acetic acid in coca leaves and paste obtained from plants treated with this herbicide.

The herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-acetic acid (2,4-D) is considered to be the most cost-effective for eradicating illicit coca plants. Since coca leaves are chewed by the natives of coca producing areas, and, since coca paste and cocaine are widely abused, a study was undertaken to determine whether 2,4-D is translocated into the leaves and transferred to coca paste when coca plants are treated with this herbicide. The study concluded that basal treatment of coca plants with 2,4-D ester resulted in translocation of 2,4-D into the leaves, and this herbicide was detected in high concentrations one week after treatment. Coca paste prepared from leaves obtained from basally treated plants did not contain 2,4-D. Foliage spraying resulted in extremely high concentrations of 2,4-D in the leaves, with significantly high concentrations of the herbicide found one week after spraying. Trace amounts of 2,4-D were detected in coca paste prepared from plants sprayed by the foliage method.

Papaver bracteatum Lindl.: quantitative extraction and determination of thebaine.

An interlaboratory procedure for the quantitative extraction and analysis of thebaine from different tissues of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. is presented. Each step was evalutated for the yield of thebaine by use of 1-3H-thebaine and GLC. The method of drying and milling of tissue and the size of resultant particles were important factors in the quantitative recovery of thebaine.

Thebaine content of selections of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. at different ages.

Approximately 200 accessions of Papaver species were evaluated for identification as P. bracteatum Lindl. and for thebaine content. Fifteen authentic P. bracteatum accessions were selected on the basis of chromosome count. Statistical analyses of variation in alkaloid content were made for these accessions. Four of the 15 warranted further study based on the vigor of the plant and the total thebaine present in the tissue. Significant variability in thebaine content was found in wild strains of P. bracteatum, thus requiring genetic selection studies. The data showed that total yield potential of thebain should be considered in selecting P. bracteatum strains for commercial growth rather than concentrating on strains that produce the highest thebaine concentrations. A method for the quantitative estimation of thebaine from P. bracteatum is presented.

Rapid semi-quantitative spot test for determination of thebaine and differentiation of Papaver bracteatum from P. orientale and P. pseudo-orientale.

The alkaloids, orientalidine, oripavine, thebaine, narceine, narceine, codeine, papaverine, isothebaine, alpenigenine and morphine react with a solution of sulfuric acid containing molybdate to give specific colors. Using the acid solution permitted the differentiation of Papaver bracteatum latex from P. orientale latex and P. pseudo-orientale latex.

Thebaine variations between germplasm sources within one collection of Papaver bracteatum Lindl.

Plants of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. derived from different germplasm sources within one Iranian collection were grown for 18 and 37 weeks in the greenhouse and controlled environment chambers. Gas-chromatographic analyses showed significant differences between thebaine concentrations of root tissue for 18-week-old plants, but not for 37-week-old plants. The two age groups did not differ in thebaine yield per unit of dry weight of root tissue. However, due to more profuse root growth, the total yield of thebaine from roots of the older plants was about four times that of the younger plants. Shoot thebaine concentrations differed significantly for 18- and 37-week-old plants. The over-all mean thebaine concentration for shoots of older plants was nearly twice that of younger plants. The variation in thebaine concentrations in these plants suggested genetic differences between the germplasm sources. Thus, domestication of P. bracteatum will require selection of germplasm from within and between collections, for plants of the greatest economic potential.