Simple plant cross-breeding

[Nagelfar]

Apparently cell extracts of the fungus Cylindrocarpon didymum can give rise to 2,2′-bimorphine from morphine.

Oxidation of Morphine to 2,2′-Bimorphine

C. didymum also displayed activity with the morphine analogs hydromorphone, 6-acetylmorphine, and dihydromorphine, but not codeine or diamorphine, suggesting that a phenolic group at C-3 is essential for activity.