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Extraction of mescaline from
Trichocereus panchanoi
byDavid Barlow
Introduction
San Pedro (
Trichocereus
or
Echinopsis panchanoi
)
is a fast-growing columnar cactus nativeto the Andes of Peru and Ecuador. Peruvian Torch (
Trichocereus
peruvianus
or
Echinopsis peruviana
) is a similar species with longer spines. They can be grown indoors in the UK andare also available in powdered form. Estimates of mescaline content vary but most containaround 0.5% by dry weight (cacti are at least 90% water). Eating the raw cactus is verynauseating and delays the onset of effects, while aqueous extractions are inefficient and givepoor yields. Chemical methods however are highly efficient and even crude extractionsreduce the amount of material consumed to minuscule proportions.
Theory
Traditionally an acid-base extraction is used, although acidification is not strictly necessary.After removing the spines the cactus is chopped up and pureed in a blender with deionisedwater. It is then basified with sodium hydroxide and extracted with a non-polar solvent,usually at least three times - shaken, not stirred! The mescaline freebase is highly soluble inthe non-polar but virtually insoluble in the aqueous phase, so the non-polar is separated off and evaporated to give a crude extract. The preferred choice of non-polar for this applicationis xylene, as freebase mescaline is virtually insoluble in the more readily available naphtha(lighter fluid). Toluene can be used as a less smelly alternative to xylene but forms anemulsion after shaking and can't be fully separated with a pipette from dilute acid. Mescalinewill remain in solution when xylene is placed in a freezer, so this is a convenient method forseparating the phases and reduces fumes. Mescaline salts can be produced, if required, byshaking the extracted non-polar solvent with a solution of a volatile or non-volatile acid. ApH meter can be used to determine when the extraction is complete, as the reading should notincrease after shaking with the non-polar and separating off. (Ensure that the meter is driedthoroughly after use as any residual xylene will attack the plastic casing.) Citric acid is safestto use, although non-volatile, so any excess acid will be present in the end product.Hydrochloric acid is volatile and should be evaporated off in a fume cupboard ideally, as thefumes are extremely hazardous. Acetic acid (distilled vinegar) also creates highly acidicfumes when concentrated but is less suitable as the resulting salt absorbs moisture from theatmosphere.
Chemicals and Equipment
Deionised Water
(from any car accessory shop)
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Extraction of mescaline from Trichocereus panchanoihttp://www.mescaline.20m.com1 di 603/02/2009 17.3
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