Determination of the five major opium alkaloids by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a base-deactivated stationary phase

A reversed phase HPLC method for the separation of the five major alkaloids from Papaver somniferum L., morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and noscapine, has been developed and validated. By use of a base-deactivated silica-based stationary phase excellent peak shape was achieved for each substance. The five alkaloids were quantified by internal standardization within 20 min and with good precision. The method is applicable to opium and to poppy straw.