Page 46 - Phytochemistry 2 (06-PG 605)

• Raw opium has a characteristic odour and a blackish brown colour. It
consists of masses of various sizes, which tend to be soft, shiny and after
drying, become hard and brittle.

• The exuded latex is dried by spontaneous evaporation or by artificial heat,
and is manipulated to form cakes of uniform composition.

• Variously shaped according to the country of origin and known in commerce
as Turkish, Indian or European opium

• Opium alkaloids usually occur naturally combined with specific acid of opium
called meconic acid

O

OH

HOOC O COOH

Meconic acid is a peculiarity of opium (occurs only in opium), therefore its
detection, even in small amount, is considered as an irrefutable legal evidence that
indicates the presence of opium.

Test for opium = (Test for meconic acid)

To 1.0 gm of powdered opium, add 5 ml water, shake for 5 min. and filter.

To the filterate add FeCl3 solution. A red colour develops which does not
disappear on addition of dil HCl.
This test has been used as a rapid and reasonably specific test for opium.

Opium contains about 40 alkaloids, these alkaloids can be divided into the
following 3 main chemical classes:
1- Benzylisoquinoline group, including papaverine, and noscapine (narcotine).

2- Phenylethylamine group, represented by narceine.

3- Phenanthrene group, including morphine, codeine and thebaine.

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