does anyone know of a way to get an idea about the alk profile in cactus without just doing an extraction, or otherwise extensive process?(such as TLC) i dont need to know the exact profile, just enough to know if its worth continuing to grow out and or process for eating, i have been collecting various trichocerus(sp?) for awhile. im a little lost in terms of IDing them due to all the different sub species and hybrids, not to mention the pachanot which is apparently undesireable, and very difficult to differentiate as far as i can tell . i want to verify which species are reletivly potent so i know which ones to focus on.

Cut up, freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw. Drink resulting released liquids.

you're gonna need to eat a chunk and eat roughly the same amount of cactus each time you test so you can more accurately assay its potency


id go pressure cooker over freeze thaw

you're gonna need to eat a chunk and eat roughly the same amount of cactus each time you test so you can more accurately assay its potency


id go pressure cooker over freeze thaw

I like your avatar Mew

Taste isn't the best way to test it. PC pachanoi is extremely bitter and it's definitely not potent. As far as I know the only way to know for sure is chemical analysis or good old fashion bio-assay.

i suppose ill just chalk it up to the medicine and do a simple goo reduction. an say la vee ,potency will remain unknown?..the cactus should have medicinal bitter compounds and such even if there is no mesc?

Well i'm pretty sure most alkaloids are bitter tasting. So even if it doesn't have mesc the other alkaloids could be affecting the taste.