Quantitative determination of thebaine in Papaver bracteatum by high-pressure liquid chromatography.

A method is described for the quantitative analysis of thebaine from Papaver bracteatum, using a single high-pressure liquid chromatographic column. The procedure gives base-line separation of thebaine without the need for gradient elution equipment, and can be completed within 12 min. Thebaine isolated by this technique was shown to be pure, regardless of the age of plant or plant part from which it was obtained.