Guidelines for reduction of morphine in poppy seed intended for food purposes

Improving the food safety of bakery products by simultaneously monitoring the occurrence of pyrrolizidine, tropane and opium alkaloids

The exponential number of food alerts about concerning levels of some plant-alkaloids, such as pyrrolizidine, tropane and opium alkaloids, have stressed the need to monitor their occurrence in foods to avoid toxic health effects derived from their intake. Therefore, analytical strategies to simultaneously monitor the occurrence of these alkaloids should be developed to ensure food safety an comply with regulations. Accordingly, this work proposes an efficient multicomponent analytical strategy for the simultaneous extraction of these alkaloids from commercial bakery products. The analytical method was validated and applied to the analysis of 15 samples, revealing that 100% of them contained at least one of the target alkaloids, in some cases exceeding the maximum limits legislated. Moreover, in two samples the 3 different alkaloid families were detected. These results confirm the importance of simultaneously monitoring these alkaloids in food and highlight also considering some opium alkaloids in current legislation.

Design and Optimisation of Sustainable Sample Treatments Based on Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Strong Cation-Exchange Purification with Functionalised SBA-15 for Opium Alkaloids in Ground Poppy Seeds

An analysis methodology was optimised and validated for the quantification of opium alkaloids (OAs) in ground poppy seeds. This involved ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification before analysis using a high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-MS/MS). UAE was optimised through the design of experiments with three factors and a three-level full factorial design. For SPE optimisation, a commercial material was compared with a previously synthesised material of SBA-15 silica functionalised with sulfonic groups (SBA-15-SO3-). The synthesised material demonstrated superior efficiency with only 25 mg and proved to be reusable for up to four cycles. The methodology was properly validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, and selectivity. Matrix effects were negligible; adequate recovery values (85-100%) and inter-day and intra-day precision (≤15%) were obtained. The greenness of the method was evaluated with the AGREEprep metric scale, being more environmentally friendly compared to OA analysis methods. Finally, the method was applied to different samples of ground poppy seeds and revealed a concentration of 140 mg/kg of morphine equivalents in one of the samples, surpassing the legislatively established limits by sevenfold. This highlights the need to analyse these types of samples to mitigate potential public health issues.

Applicability of LC-QToF and Microscopical Tools in Combating the Sophisticated, Economically Motivated Adulteration of Poppy Seeds

Morphine and codeine are the two principal opiates found in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) and are therapeutically used for pain management. Poppy seeds with low opiates are primarily used for culinary purposes due to their nutritional and sensory attributes. Intentional adulteration of poppy seeds is common, often combined with immature, less expensive, exhausted, or substituted with morphologically similar seeds, viz., amaranth, quinoa, and sesame. For a safer food supply chain, preventive measures must be implemented to mitigate contamination or adulteration. Moreover, the simultaneous analysis of P. somniferum and its adulterants is largely unknown. Pre- and post-processing further complicate the alkaloid content and may pose a significant health hazard. To address these issues, two independent methods were investigated with eight botanically verified and fifteen commercial samples. Microscopical features were established for the authenticity of raw poppy seeds. Morphine, codeine, and thebaine quantities ranged from 0.8-223, 0.2-386, and 0.1-176 mg/kg, respectively, using LC-QToF. In most cases, conventional opiates have a higher content than papaverine and noscapine. The analytical methodology provided a chemical profile of 47 compounds that can be effectively applied to distinguish poppy seeds from their adulterants and may serve as an effective tool to combat ongoing adulteration.

New Validated Method for the Determination of Six Opium Alkaloids in Poppy Seed-Containing Bakery Products by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry after Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction

Bakery products containing poppy seeds are increasingly being commercialized. These seeds may be contaminated with latex from the Papaver somniferum L. plant rich in opium alkaloids (OAs). Therefore, health authorities demand the development of analytical methods to control them. In this study, an efficient and simple method was developed and validated for the first time to analyze six OAs in bakery products by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. For this purpose, a solid-liquid extraction was optimized, and then a magnetic material [magnetite surface-modified with Fe(III) terephthalate, denoted as Fe₃O₄@TPA-Fe] was used for a fast magnetic solid-phase extraction. The method has been validated with adequate recoveries (70-110%) and relative standard deviations (<20%) and without matrix effects. Nine bakery samples (five breadsticks and four sliced bread) were analyzed; breadsticks showed low amounts of OAs, but two sliced bread showed higher amounts of OAs than the new amount (1.5 mg/kg) set by the Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/2142.

Assessment of Dry Heating, Water Rinsing, and Baking on Concentrations of the Opium Alkaloid Noscapine in Poppy Seeds

Limited information is available on methods to reduce concentrations of the opium alkaloid noscapine in poppy seeds. A series of experiment were conducted using poppy seeds to evaluate the impact of thermal treatments, water rinsing, and baking on noscapine concentrations. A sample set of commercially available poppy seeds (n=15) was screened for noscapine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The mean and median noscapine concentrations for poppy seed samples above the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 89.9 and 28.4 mg kg^-1, respectively. Six out of 15 samples were less than the LOQ. Poppy seed samples containing a mean noscapine concentration of 121 mg kg^-1 were subjected to dry heat treatments ranging from 120-200 °C and a 5 min rinse with water. Baking experiments were also done by incorporating the poppy seeds into a muffin batter and baking in an oven at 200 °C. The dry heat treatment experiments showed that noscapine degraded at 160-200 °C, with a 50% loss of noscapine observed after 3.44 ± 0.46 min at 200 °C. Although the mean concentration of noscapine decreased when a muffin containing poppy seeds was baked at 200 °C for 16 min, these changes were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Rinsing the poppy seeds with water did not have a significant effect on noscapine concentrations. Together, these data allow for better characterization of potential dietary exposure to noscapine and indicate that certain thermal treatments can be effective for reduction of noscapine in poppy seeds.

Opium Alkaloids in Harvested and Thermally Processed Poppy Seeds

The opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, and papaverine) have been detected on poppy seeds; they are widely used by the food industry for decoration and flavor but can introduce opium alkaloids into the food chain. Of the opium alkaloids found on poppy seeds, morphine, and codeine are the most pharmacologically active and have been detected in biological matrices collected in workplace and roadside drug testing resulting in positive opiate results. The European Food Safety Authority introduced an acute reference dose of 10 μg morphine/kg of body weight as a safe level for morphine in food products. In this work, it was found that in harvested poppy seeds, and thermally processed poppy seeds (with and without a food matrix), if used in normal levels would not exceed the recommended acute reference dose. It was also shown that the levels of all alkaloids reduce when thermally processed, in comparison with harvested, untreated seeds.

Concentrations of the Opium Alkaloids Morphine, Codeine, and Thebaine in Poppy Seeds are Reduced after Thermal and Washing Treatments but are Not Affected when Incorporated in a Model Baked Product

Limited information exists on the effectiveness of potential treatments to reduce levels of opium alkaloids that may be present in seeds from poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Poppy seeds containing morphine at relatively lower (14.7 mg kg^-1) and higher (210.0 mg kg^-1) concentrations were subjected to dry heat and steam treatments, water washing, and baking. Sample extracts were then analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the opium alkaloids morphine, codeine, and thebaine. The results indicated that thermal treatment promoted opium alkaloid degradation in poppy seed samples, with a 50% loss of morphine observed after 30-40 min at 200 °C. Water washing reduced concentrations of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds by approximately 50-80%, while steam treatment resulted in reduction of morphine in only one sample type. Importantly, baking had no significant effect on concentrations of opium alkaloids. Overall, these results indicate that opium alkaloids may not be significantly affected by baking or steam application and that poppy seeds may require water washing or extended thermal treatment to promote reduction of these compounds.

Update of the Scientific Opinion on opium alkaloids in poppy seeds

Poppy seeds are obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). They are used as food and to produce edible oil. The opium poppy plant contains narcotic alkaloids such as morphine and codeine. Poppy seeds do not contain the opium alkaloids, but can become contaminated with alkaloids as a result of pest damage and during harvesting. The European Commission asked EFSA to provide an update of the Scientific Opinion on opium alkaloids in poppy seeds. The assessment is based on data on morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, noscapine and papaverine in poppy seed samples. The CONTAM Panel confirms the acute reference dose (ARfD) of 10 μg morphine/kg body weight (bw) and concluded that the concentration of codeine in the poppy seed samples should be taken into account by converting codeine to morphine equivalents, using a factor of 0.2. The ARfD is therefore a group ARfD for morphine and codeine, expressed in morphine equivalents. Mean and high levels of dietary exposure to morphine equivalents from poppy seeds considered to have high levels of opium alkaloids (i.e. poppy seeds from varieties primarily grown for pharmaceutical use) exceed the ARfD in most age groups. For poppy seeds considered to have relatively low concentrations of opium alkaloids (i.e. primarily varieties for food use), some exceedance of the ARfD is also seen at high levels of dietary exposure in most surveys. For noscapine and papaverine, the available data do not allow making a hazard characterisation. However, comparison of the dietary exposure to the recommended therapeutical doses does not suggest a health concern for these alkaloids. For thebaine and oripavine, no risk characterisation was done due to insufficient data. However, for thebaine, limited evidence indicates a higher acute lethality than for morphine and the estimated exposure could present a health risk.

Exposure of consumers to morphine from poppy seeds in Hungary

Poppy seed-containing foods are popular dishes in Hungary and some other Central European countries. The alkaloids of poppy are used in the production of medicines. Poppy seeds used as food may also contain considerable amounts of alkaloids, which raises the question of food safety. Morphine, codeine, thebaine and noscapine concentrations of poppy seed samples from the period 2001-2010 and consumption data from two Hungarian surveys, carried out in 2003 and 2009, were evaluated. Exposure calculations were made for morphine intake by both point estimate and probabilistic methods, and the uncertainty of the calculated values was estimated. The point estimate for the acute consumer exposure, calculated using the 97.5th percentiles of morphine concentration and of poppy seed consumption and taking into account the reduction of morphine content by processing, was 78.64 µg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ for adults, and 116.90 µg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ for children. Based on probabilistic estimations, the 97.5th and 99th percentile exposures ranged between 18.3-25.4 and 25.6-47.4 µg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ for adults, and between 32.9 and 66.4 µg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ for children, respectively. As a no observed effect level (NOEL) had not been established, the significance of exposure could not be assessed.

Poppy seed foods and opiate drug testing--where are we today?

Seeds of the opium poppy plant are legally sold and widely consumed as food. Due to contamination during harvesting, the seeds can contain morphine and other opiate alkaloids. The objective of this study is to review the toxicology of poppy seed foods regarding influence on opiate drug tests. Computer-assisted literature review resulted in 95 identified references. Normal poppy seed consumption is generally regarded as safe. During food processing, the morphine content is considerably reduced (up to 90%). The possibility of false-positive opiate drug tests after poppy food ingestion exists. There are no unambiguous markers available to differentiate poppy food ingestion from heroin or pharmaceutical morphine use. This is also a problem in heroin-assisted maintenance programs. A basic requirement in such substitution programs is the patients' abstinence from any other drugs, including additional illicit heroin. Also a lack of forensic ingestion trials was detected that consider all factors influencing the morphine content in biologic matrices after consumption. Most studies did not control for the losses during food processing, so that the initial morphine dosage was overestimated. The large reduction of the morphine content during past years raises questions about the validity of the "poppy seed defence." However, a threshold of food use that would not lead to positive drug tests with certainty is currently unavailable. Research is needed to prove if the morphine contents in today's foods still pose the possibility of influencing drug tests. Future trials should consider processing-related morphine losses.