Citation

Westphal F, Rochholz G, Gheorghiu D, Leinenkugel A, Schutz HW. Blutalkohol 2006; 43(1): 14-27.

Affiliation

Westphal, F., Landeskriminalamt Schleswig-Holstein, Sachgebiet Betaubungsmittel/Toxikologie, 24116 Kiel, Germany

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In a study 20 volunteers ate poppy seed containing food with a natural morphine content of the seeds of 72,4 mg/kg and 114,3 mg/kg respectively. Blood was collected 1,2,4,8, and 24 hours after the end of consumption and checked for the presence of free and conjugated morphine and codeine. Already 1 hour after poppy seed consumption levels of free morphine greater than 10 ng/ml were measured in 6 of the 20 volunteers. In 4 volunteers even 2 hours and in 3 volunteers even 4 hours after the end of the consumption levels of free morphine greater than 10 ng/ml were detected. In all volunteers total morphine (free plus conjugated morphine) could be detected in blood even 24 hours after poppy seed consumption above the limit of quantitation (2,82 ng/ml). When total morphine exceeded 100 ng/ml in blood, total codeine could be detected above its limit of quantitation (2,60 ng/ml). Considering Street Traffic Law in Germany (punishing driving under the influence of drugs of abuse on the basis of (section) 24a StVG), the recommended threshold of 10 ng/ml free morphine in serum, and the results of this study, a consumption of poppy seed containing food can not be ruled out at levels of 10-20 ng/ml free morphine in serum for at least the last 4 hours prior to blood sampling. These levels can be achieved, if poppy seed products are consumed made of poppy seeds with high morphine levels. Up to date only poppy seeds with extremely low morphine contents are allowed to be produced in Germany. However, imported poppy seeds are not tested for their morphine content. From a forensic-toxicological point of view a control of the morphine content of poppy seeds used in food industry has to be demanded to prevent troubles in interpretation of blood morphine levels in cases of suspected drugged drivers.