M. Kerbosch

Bio: M. Kerbosch is an academic researcher. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 15 citations.

Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of morphine and codeine in human urine of poppy seed eaters.

Abstract: In this study, poppy seeds were examined for a natural constituent that might serve as a maker for the seeds' ingestion as opposed to opiate abuse. Thebaine was selected as possible marker, since it was found to be a component of all poppy seeds examined and was not a natural component of different heroin samples. During the course of this investigation, a new extraction and cleanup procedure was developed for the gas chromatographic/nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of morphine and codeine in urine. A linear response, over a concentration range of 25 to 600 ng/mL, was obtained for codeine and morphine (r = 0.9982 and 0.9947, respectively). The minimum detectable level (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for morphine were 10 and 30 ng/mL, respectively; whereas LOD and LOQ for codeine were 2 and 8 ng/mL, respectively. The coefficients of variance (CV, n = 6) for morphine and codeine analyses at the 100-ng/mL level were 13.3 and 4.6%, respectively. This procedure was used for the analysis of urine samples from five poppy seed eaters who each ingested 200 g of poppy seed cake. Results indicated that significant amounts of morphine and codeine are excreted in urine and that in all subjects, at least at one point in time, the apparent morphine concentration as determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) analysis exceeded the cutoff value (300 ng/mL) established for screening. Thebaine was not detected in urine specimens collected following poppy seeds ingestion and thus could not be used as a marker.

Erratum: Desert plant constituents. II. Ocotillol: An intermediate in the oxidation of hydroxy isooctenyl side chains

Abstract: Ocotillol, C30H52O3, a triterpene isolated from Fouquieria splendens Engelm., has been found to have structure I containing a new side chain modification. Confirmation was provided by a partial synthesis from dammarenediol-II monoacetate VIIa. Ocotillol has been found to be an intermediate in one path for the chromic acid oxidation of the hydroxy isooctenyl side chain XVI, a common feature of several triterpenes, to the tris nor γ-lactone XIX.

Studies on the Growth and Development and Morphine Content of Opium Poppy

Abstract: 1. An attempt was made to correlate the growth and development and morphine content of Yuma poppy, U.S.D.A. no. 17 (Papaver somniferum L.) grown under usual greenhouse conditions with that of plants grown under controlled temperatures and photoperiods. 2. The concentration of morphine (μg/gm dry weight) in organs of plants first grown on an 8-hour day, then on 18-hour photoperiods at 49-59 days after seed germination, and then transferred to natural daylengths in the greenhouse was greatest in the capsules, while none was detected in the seed. In plants harvested 32, 61, 98, 114, and 126 days after seed germination, the capsules collected at 98 days contained the highest concentration of morphine, while capsules collected at the last harvest contained the greatest amount of morphine (concentration x dry weight). On a whole-plant basis the greatest concentration of morphine was found in plants harvested 98 days after germination, whereas the greatest amount of morphine was found in plants collected after 9...