Recovering codeine as a waste during liquid – liquid extraction in opium alkaloids factory

In this research, it is aimed to the recovery of codeine, which is released during the liquid – liquid extraction which is one of the steps in the process of obtaining morphine from the poppy plant as waste at the Opium Alkaloids Factory. Moreover, it is aimed to produce recovered codeine and its derivatives as completely organic products unlike codeine and its derivatives, which are already synthetically produced in the Derivative unit in the factory. The recovery of codeine was carried out by using extraction method again under the appropriate conditions of liquid-liquid extraction unit waste. During the extraction process, the type of acid is used, pH value and repetition number of extraction were investigated effects of the codeine on recovery efficiency. The highest recovery efficiency of codeine was obtained by using % 96,9 0,1 M H3PO4 solution while the pH value was 1.5 and at least 2 stage extraction at the end of the study. 40 oC was selected as the operating temperature. Because the operating temperature of the factory during the liquid – liquid extraction is 40 oC. Codeine obtained as a result of recovery work was converted into phosphate as the final product by following the production steps used in the derive unit of the factory. The codeine phosphate obtained as a final product was analyzed according to the British Pharmacopoeia in AAF Quality Control Laboratory to determine whether it can be used as pharmaceutical raw material. As a result of the analysis, there was no situation that could may prevent use of codeine phosphate, which is obtained naturally by waste recovery, as a pharmaceutical raw material. In addition, it is foreseen that the codeine phosphate can be sold easily without the problem of buyers and it will bring high profit to the business with low cost.