OPEN Foundation

S. Moura

qNMR: An applicable method for the determination of dimethyltryptamine in ayahuasca, a psychoactive plant preparation

June 11, 2010 / Ayahuasca, Chemistry, DMT, Other subjects, Papers, Publications / By / , , , ,

Abstract

Ayahuasca is an Amazonian plant beverage obtained by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi in combination with the leaves of Psychotria viridis. P. viridis contains the psychedelic indole N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). This association has a wide range of use in religious rituals around the world. In the present work, an easy, fast and non-destructive method by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of proton (1H NMR) for quantification of DMT in ayahuasca samples was developed and validated. 2,5-Dimethoxybenzaldehyde (DMBO) was used as internal standard (IS). For this purpose, the area ratios produced by protons of DMT (N(CH3)2) at 2.70 ppm, singlet, (6H) and for DMBO (Ar(OCH3)2) at 3.80 and 3.89 ppm, doublet, (6H) were used for quantification. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 12.5 μg/mL and a good intra-assay precision was also obtained (relative standard deviation < 5.1%). The present 1H NMR method is not time consuming and can be readily applied to monitor this tryptamine in plant preparations. We believe that qNMR can be used for identification and quantification of many plant-based products and metabolites with important advantages, while comparing with other analytical techniques.

Moura, S., Carvalhoa, F. G., Rodrigues de Oliveiraa, C. D., Pintoa, E., & Yonaminea, M. (2010). qNMR: An applicable method for the determination of dimethyltryptamine in ayahuasca, a psychoactive plant preparation. Phytochemistry, 3(2), 79–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phytol.2009.12.004
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Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and beta-carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage

January 12, 2009 / Ayahuasca, Chemistry, Other subjects, Papers, Publications / By / , , , , ,

Abstract

Introduction: Ayahuasca is obtained by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi in combination with the leaves of Psychotria viridis. P. viridis is rich in the psychedelic indole N,N-dimethyltryptamine, whereas B. caapi contains substantial amounts of β-carboline alkaloids, mainly harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors. Because of differences in composition in ayahuasca preparations, a method to measure their main active constituents is needed.

Objective: To develop a gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of dimethyltryptamine and the main β-carbolines found in ayahuasca preparations.

Methodology: The alkaloids were extracted by means of solid phase extraction (C18) and detected by gas chromatography with nitrogen/phosphorous detector.

Results: The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02 mg/mL for all analytes. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.02–4.0 mg/mL (r2 > 0.99). The method was also precise (RSD < 10%).

Conclusion: A simple gas chromatographic method to determine the main alkaloids found in ayahuasca was developed and validated. The method can be useful to estimate administered doses in animals and humans for further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of ayahuasca.

Pires, A. P. S., De Oliveira, C. D. R., Moura, S., Dörr, F. A., Silva, W. A. E., & Yonamine, M. (2009). Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and β‐carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an amazonian psychoactive plant beverage. Phytochemical Analysis, 20(2), 149-153. 10.1002/pca.1110
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30 April - Q&A with Rick Strassman

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