nobodysuspectsthebutterfly asked:

Hey, got some chemistry questions, and you of course are my go-to there. :) First question-- I read that an ammonia solution can be used to prevent the coagulation of raw rubber latex. Would this also work with another kind of plant latex, say opium poppy latex? Would this do anything to the alkaloids in the opium? And does this bear any resemblance to how morphine is precipitated from opium using ammonium hydroxide? (Been spending way too much time researching drugs for fandom questions...)

sodiumlamp answered:

You’re on the right track.   First, I need to explain what latex is and why it coagulates. 

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