Opiates without poppies

[PetalToTheMetal]

Natural and semi-synthetic opioids could soon be recovered from yeast cells, instead of the opium plant Papaver somniferum grow. Three researchers from the Stanford University report that they important steps of the opioid biosynthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevesiae are managed. Equipped with genes from opium poppy and the bacterium Pseudomonas putida M10 could produce pharmacologically important substances codeine, morphine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone and oxycodone, the scientists from thebaine. The team also discovered by Christina D. Smolke a new biosynthetic pathway for Neopin and Neomorphin, they write in the journal "Nature Chemical Biology".

The yield was up to 131 mg per liter. Smolke assumes, however, that the production in 1000-liter tanks as much yield as bringing the cultivation of one hectare of poppy plants, she told the magazine "New Scientist". Production could then not only better quality monitors, but also illegal losses could be easily prevented. Possibly new opioids could even be generated with different structure and active qualities better with technology.

The authors consider their research as an important step towards a reliable and sufficient production of opioids in contrast to recovery from opium plants. The opium poppy required for the pharmaceutical industry is grown to 50 percent on the Australian island of Tasmania, which may bring the global painkillers supply in poor harvest in distress. Already in 2008 it was Smolke managed to produce the opioid precursor salutaridine of simple sugars in yeast cells. Now still missing as a unifying step in the conversion of salutaridine thebaine.


http://psychotropicon.info/en/arzneistoff-produktion-opioide-aus-hefezellen/

 

[methoxetaman]

I suppose that was a translated version?

And great, just what the world fucking needs. An easier cheaper way to produce opiates.

 

[DrGreenthumb]

Sounds a bit tasty. I'm surely not the only person thinking about opiate beer.

methoxetaman, glad you agree, it is awesome. Opiates are still some of the most important drugs, any cheaper & more reliable way to produce them should be celebrated.

 

[Jabberwocky]

It sure would be sad if something like this were to destroy the poppy market and push the (legal/above ground) poppy seed market towards only supplying seeds of plants of no opiate value, even if they'd probably still look as nice... Hard to see that happening, was just thinking.