Hello all, have been using this site for a few years now, but only have just made account to ask for some advice. Apologise if this is the wrong forum for this, please do let me know.
A large amount of acacia phyllodes are available in a recently cleared field, most of the large acacias have been chopped, but plenty of twigs and branches remain. The closest identification made was Acacia Maidenii, however inexperience means this is a guess based on the phyllodes and flower.
200g of phyllodes and twigs were used to test for alkaloid content in the tree remains. A/B follows
3x1.5hr acid boils with demineralised water + vinegar then reduced 50%
60g caustic soda + 200ml water added to reduction
While still hot from reaction, 200ml shellite added, shaken and allowed to settle 10x.
Added 50ml saline solution, instantly fixed any emulsion issues.
Maintained temp by pouring boiling water over vessel, which remained hot to touch the entire time.
Separated shellite, then washed with bi-carb water, separated again.
Placed in a mason jar in freezer for 24 hours, then poured remaining solvent into a bowl to dry.
Yielded little to no results, however there are some small "crystals" in the jar that could be scrapped up. Images attached, does this seem to show signs of alkaloid content? Very possible the source was empty of them to begin with. Thank you for any input, hope to find my way to a sustainable source, if this is not it, then simply move on.
https://imgur.com/a/K5FeHwU