Patent ID: 8067213
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A01H,C07D

Abstract:
1. A method to imporove the thebaine and/or oripavine yield of a stably reproducing Papaver somniferum, the method comprising the steps of: a) exposing at least one poppy seed of Papaver somniferum to a mutagenizing agent, b) growing the at least one poppy seed to produce a plant bearing a leaf or an immature poppy capsule, c) sampling the leaf or poppy capsule of the plant after it has reached the 10 leaf stage for the presence of thebaine, oripavine, morphine and codeine, and d) repeating steps a) to c) until a poppy plant of Papaver somniferum is obtained wherein the leaf or poppy capsule sampled has thebaine and oripavine constituting about 50% by weight or greater of the alkaloid combination consisting of morphine, codeine, thebaine and oripavine.