ALKALOIDS, LATEX AND OXIDASES IN PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM II 
ing the formation of morphine. The appHcation of guaiac solution 
to the freshly cut root produced a very strong oxidase reaction, ap- 
parently most intense in the cortical regions. The addition of hy- 
drogen peroxide did not markedly intensify the color. 
As far as the evidence here submitted goes, the belladonna alkaloids 
exist ready formed in the plant perhaps as accumulated waste products. 
Summary 
In conclusion, the results here reported may be briefly summarized : 
1. It appears from work done on the opium poppy, Papaver 
somniferum, that the oxidase reaction is most active in the upper 
parts of the plant, especially in the floral structures, capsules and 
actively growing parts. The peroxidase reaction shows less variation 
in its intensity in the different parts of the plant. 
2. The intensity of the oxidase reaction roughly parallels the dis- 
tribution of the latex which in itself is most active. 
3. The oxidase seems to be either "used up" or otherwise in- 
activated during the course of its action. A like exhaustion or 
inactivation of the supposed enzyme was seen in the case of the 
oxidase of the Irish potato. These observations would indicate that 
perhaps the oxidase reaction is not due to a catalyzing agent, therefore 
is not due to an enzyme. 
4. With exception of the root, the intensity of the oxidase reaction 
runs roughly parallel with the alkaloidal content. In the root, the 
alkaloid content is relatively higher than the intensity of the oxidase 
reaction. 
5. Alkaloids seem not to exist as such in the poppy plant but to 
appear as products of the action of the oxidases on constituents 
present in the latex reacting in the presence of oxygen. 
6. The alkaloids of Atropa belladonna differ from those of the 
poppy in that they are found to exist in structures dried without con- 
tact with free oxygen and seem to exist ready formed in the plant. 
Office of Drug Plant, Poisonous Plant, 
Physiological and Fermentation Investigations, 
Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
