Studies on the Microbial Decomposition of Morphine by Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fres) de Vries

Abstract

Ninety-eight strains of soil microorganisms were isolated from the soil of the field cultivating poppy (Papaverium somniferium L). One of these soil microorgnisms, Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fres) de Vries, decomposed 70% of morphine contained in the potato medium, at 25° for eight days. Two products were isolated and identified to be normorphine and pseudomorphine. The degradation mechanism of morphine by this microorganism is also discussed.