Application of analytical methods for the structural characterization and purity assessment of N,N-dimethyltryptamine, a potent psychedelic agent isolated from Mimosa tenuiflora inner barks
Alain Gaujac, Sabrina Teixeira Martinez, Arão Araújo Gomes, Sandro José de Andrade, Ângelo Da Cunha Pinto, Jorge M. David, Sandro Navickiene, Jaílson B. de Andrade
Microchemical Journal April 5, 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2012.03.033 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Method development and characterization Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ayahuasca 5-MeO-DMT DMT |
| Keywords | Context archaeology Mass spectrometry Designer drug Hallucinogen Chromatography |
| Citations | 34 |
| Key points | DMT of >95% purity can be reliably extracted from Mimosa tenuiflora inner bark using a simple and fast method suitable for producing a chromatographic analytical standard. |
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychoactive indole alkaloid present in beverages consumed in religious ceremonies and in neo-shamanic rituals all around the world. It is a substance banned in most countries, which makes its acquisition difficult. In Brazil, a beverage rich in DMT named ayahuasca is legally consumed in a religious context. On the other hand, DMT is a controlled drug, enforced by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária). The present study describes a simple and fast method to obtain N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from inner barks of Mimosa tenuiflora for the purpose of using it as a chromatographic analytical standard. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), single and tandem stage mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) and melting point measurements were performed for the structural characterization of N,N-dimethyltryptamine. The results obtained were in agreement with previous literature reports. The purity of the compound (> 95%) was determined using ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrometry with a tryptamine analytical standard.