my prof gave me permission to analyze the componenents of a tryptophan decarboxylation experiment (refluxed in heavy mineral oil), via CE-MS/MS using 5µm i.d. capillaries; it may be mentioned in a future publication (journal of analytical chem)



*stoked*

here's a paper pertaining to past experiments

Fingerprint analysis of thermolytic decarboxylation of tryptophan to tryptamine catalyzed by natural oils
http://www.sciencedirect...4dcc52596a164ea1ea9e00ed

For a budding future chemist, about to start my degree this year...
And in the most humble sense, what does this mean?

Im curious but clueless.

removal of the carboxylic group from tryptophan... carbon dioxide evolution due to applied heat.

it should be done in an inert atmosphere to prevent autooxidation from air (otherwise a normally clear product turns dark).

Good job benz, congratulations!


Tryptophan decarboxylation makes tryptamine. Tryptamine may be dimethylated.

thanks


in theory, tryptamine may also be supplemented to the substrate or casing of psilocin-producing fungi (the job for an mg scale and a micropipette)
the trick is getting the solutions right, and running a control group

How exciting!!

Write a science paper for the Nexus!!

Benzyme

Wow this is so awesome! You should feel super proud...


Much Peace and Wonder

Sounds like something you really want to do
So you are going to analyze the different reaction products? The THBC by products as mentioned in the abstract?
The goal is to learn more about the diferent catalysts in the essential oils and the mechanisms involved?



That sounds really interesting too..
If only our atmosphere was inert... sigh..

as long as the fungal cells are not ruptured, it wouldn't matter.

the inert atmosphere would be applied when drying (in a desiccator)

and no...the alternative experiment (outside the lab) would involve refluxing the tryptophan in a high-boiling mineral oil under nitrogen (no catalyst), and allowing the product to collect on a friedrich condenser.

I thought you meant the decaboxylation (tryptophan->tryptamine) would have to take place in an inert atmosphere?
Then the tryptamine (and perhaps by-products) could be supplemented (not by injection!) to the mushrooms?
If so, then the tryptamine would oxidize in the substrate no?

Sorry if this sounds silly .. just trying with my limited knowledge about organic chemistry to picture what you are suggesting.

IF the experiment was worked out (written down and suficiently validated (with help of others here at the nexus)) then i am sure there are peeps here that would love to try this scientific experiment.

Is tryptphane (or tryptamine readily and easily avaible?

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Why do i ask these questions?
Because i have the strong feeling all the knowledge, experience, materials and equipment are avaible to do some serious scientific researching the subject of psychedelics. Perhaps the university is not interest in such experiments.. but still there is allot that can be done, for us, for this community. Comparing mescaline teks per example (yield, quality). Or seriously (scientific way) tackle the problems of dmt extraction from grasses.

We as a collective can design, set-up AND fund simple experiments.
This can be arranged fairly easy. I have no doubt about it.

tryptophan is readily available, and you thought correctly..free-form tryptophan should be refluxed in an inert atmosphere. otherwise, recrystallization of the dark product will give some tryptamine, but yield will be low. and the free-form tryptamine should be converted to hcl salt to make it more water soluble.
tryptamine in hcl salt form will not oxidize as easily as tryptamine, though it does.

however, there have been(a few) reports of successful experiments
it's a matter of getting the right concentrations