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Extraction of alkaloids from poppy plants

Bradshaw2727

Bradshaw2727

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SWIM has about 20 live poppy plants (give or take) that he just pulled from the ground. They have already completed their flower/pod stage and are just the plants with all their pods cut off. Would it be reasonable to do an extraction on the alkaloids from the plant matter? If so, how would SWIM go about doing this? I am looking for an extraction that is not too complicated and doesn't use too much equipment. Thanks
 
Chop them into little bits, boil with a bit of acetic or tartaric acid (to form soluble salts), strain through a coarse filter and evaporate to end up with something akin to opium. Beyond that, you're going to need 0.880 ammonia soln and chloroform or methylene chloride if you want papervetum (mixed opium alkaloid extract)
 
By the way..I am referring to extracting the alkaloids as a whole...I'm not trying to isolate morphine. Also...I only posted this thread once..I think a moderator moved it and forgot to delete the original in ADD (not that it really matters...I just dont want to come across as someone who doesn't read the guidelines).
 
After reading a few patents on this, I am now becoming satisfied that general principles can be applied to this plant-based extraction. Ofcourse, if one does want to obtain pure M then they are going to need more specialist info. but just getting a crude extract of O would still be something to play with.

OK, from what I was reading in a patent:

-using H2O gives 100% extraction but is troublesome to get rid off.
-using IPA gave only 50% extraction although this could be increased dramatically by spiking it with a small amount of water and lye.

Take your minced poppy straw and soak it in 400 mL 96% EtOH with a few pellets of NaOH added in a sauce-pan. Heat it up slowly and simmer it for 1-2 hr. Separate the plant matter from the extract and keep to one side. Evaporate the alcohol from the extract and keep to one side. What is left over is crude O.
 
If all you are doing is looking to get a crude form of extract then I imagine that making an poppy tea will extract most of the alkaloids. Considering that others have reported being 'addicted' to this I expect it is fully active if enough of it is consumed. I just have bad memories of it tasting very foul indeed.
 
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Just morphine

Is treating poppy pods in water with calcium hydroxide, filtering, and precipitating by raising pH a viable method of extracting just morphine from the pods? I've read such a procedure but found questionable statements elsewhere therein, and being on the subject I question it directly.

(you ever have one of those moments where words just can't communicate the idea the way you want them to? ick, feels like choking on sand.)
 
Considering that others have reported being 'addicted' to this I expect it is fully active if enough of it is consumed
Click to expand...

Certainly is. While in NZ some years ago for my father's funeral, my brother and I were given bunches of poppies after revealing neither of us had slept in days. By brewing ~ 2 handfuls of poppies in a pot, then drinking 1 cup each, we were both very intoxicated and had a fabulous nights sleep. So, while I do not find any attraction in the recreational use of opiates, I can certainly vouch for poppy tea as a good sleeping aid.
 
^ But that would have been pod and all? The OP was questioning what he could do with just the stalks.
 
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