Papaver species alkaloid production

Production of Alkaloids by Cell Cultures of Papaver Species ... 

In conclusion, undifferentiated cell cultures of Papaver species do not produce morphinan alkaloids. On differentiation laticifers are formed this is probably an important factor for the production of morphinan alkaloids, but other, still unidentified, factors also play a role. On the other hand, differentiation is not necessary for the production of sanguinarine (see Section VI,F). 

A minor constituent of P. somniferum is the aporphine alkaloid isoboldine (Figure 6.58). Other species of poppy, e.g. Papaver orientale and P. pseudoorientale, are known to synthesize aporphine alkaloids as principal constituents rather than morphinan structures. (Aj-Isoboldinc is readily appreciated to be the product of oxidative coupling of (5)-reticuline, coupling ortho to the phenol group in the tetrahydroisoquinoline, and para to the phenol of the benzyl substituent... 

Phytophthora megasperma, an often used elicitor, and chitosan were not active on these cultures. On the other hand, polypeptide antibiotics, like polymyxin B, were found to be the most active elicitors. The yeast extract elicitor was tested on callus cultures of 190 different plant species from 25 families. The strongest effects were found in seven species and subspecies of Eschscholtzia, Chelidonium majus, Glaucium rubrum, G. flava, Cory-dalis ophiocarpa, and Papaver somniferum, and in all cases the production of the quaternary phenanthridine alkaloids was induced, as easily recognized by the red coloration of the cultures. 

Sanguinarine and related alkaloids were detected in a series of Papaver-aceae plants (see Table XXV) (418). In the 11 species studied the alkaloid contents of callus cultures were very similar, and the redifferentiated plantlets had more characteristic alkaloid patterns. Further plants reported to produce sanguinarine among other compounds are Corydalis ophiocarpa (479) and Fumaria capreolata (483). None of these plants, however, has been further studied in connection with large-scale production of sanguinarine, probably because in most cases complex mixtures of alkaloids are formed. 

Even synthetic chemists are involved in the war against illegal drug production, as shown by a recent example. As you probably know, the restrictions imposed on the cultivation of morphine-producing Papaver somniferum has led to a shortage of codeine for medical purposes. Since codeine can also be made from thebaine, an alkaloid biologically synthesized by the species Papaver bracteatum, and since illicit heroin production from thebaine seems unlikely (Table I), it has been suggested (1) to substitute the cultivation of somniferum for bracteatum. 

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