6 
RODNEY H. TRUE AND W. W. STOCKBERGER 
precipitation and re-solution separated the oxidase from the oxidation 
products. In so far as color may be accepted as an index, it seems 
probable that a very considerable degree of separation was effected. 
Taking all evidence into account, the conclusion was strongly 
indicated that the enzyme was used up or inactivated during the 
course of the reaction. It is interesting to note in this connection 
the similar conclusions arrived at by BunzeF in his recent and more 
exact studies. 
In order to get further evidence on this point, a series of experi- 
ments was made with the juice of potato tubers. Freshly prepared 
aqueous extracts made in the same way as the poppy extracts gave 
active oxidase and peroxidase reactions. The solutions darkened 
very rapidly on standing and when tested after four hours gave no 
oxidase reaction. This solution was then treated with two volumes of 
strong alcohol, filtered after about an hour and the precipitate dis- 
solved in distilled water. The resulting solution gave no oxidase 
reaction. The conclusion drawn from the poppy experiments seemed 
to be strengthened by the evidence gained from the work done on 
potatoes. This conclusion is hardly compatible with a catalytic 
explanation of oxidase action. 
It is recalled that .in the making of opium, the crude material from 
which morphine and several other alkaloids are obtained, the essential 
process consists in so scarring the full-grown but still green capsules 
as to cause the latex to run out onto the surface where in contact with 
the air it dries down from a thinly fluid milky juice to the dark brown, 
gummy substance known as opium. 
Distribution of Alkaloids in the Plant 
In view of the relations just discussed, it seemed desirable to ascer- 
tain in how far the distribution of the alkaloid, morphine, might show 
a relation to the distribution of latex and of the oxidase reaction. 
Accordingly, a number of full-grown plants of the black-seeded form 
of the opium poppy a meter or more high were brought in to the 
laboratory where they were cut up as quickly as possible into the 
following parts: Roots, lower stem, midstem, upper stem, leaves, 
flower buds, and capsules. The capsules were approximately fuU- 
2 Bunzel, H. H. The measurement of the oxidase content of plant juices. 
Bulletin 238, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. Agric, 1912. 
