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Abstract
“Kratom” is the common name for the botanical mitragyna speciosa. It is a tree native to Southeast Asia in which leaves contain the psychoactive alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom is often ingested as teas, chewed, or smoked. It acts as a stimulant in small doses and as an opioid in large doses. Overdoses can result in vomiting, seizures, and death. Recently the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) placed Kratom on Schedule 1, but, due to public outcry, it was almost immediately removed.
Eleven kratom based products were obtained from various tobacco shops, “headshops” and via the internet including: Choice brand capsule and powder, Krave brand capsule, Lucky brand powder, King Kratom and Purple Haze e-liquids with 0 mg nicotine and 12 mg nicotine, Mojo brand capsule, O.P.M.S Liquid Kratom concentrate, and a K. Kratom chocolate bar. These products and methanol extracted samples were analyzed for psychoactive alkaloids and other components using an AccuTOF Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
The psychoactive alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine along with four other alkaloids, corynantheidine, corynoxine, paynantheine, and speciofoline, were identified in all 11 products.
Unregulated commercial products made from kratom contain psychoactive alkaloids such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. They are readily available in a variety of forms and may be prone to abuse.
Publication Date
2017
Subject Major(s)
Forensic Science, Chemistry
Keywords
Kratom, mitragynine, DART-MS, GC-MS, electronic cigarettes
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Chemicals and Drugs | Other Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Pharmacology | Toxicology
Current Academic Year
Junior
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Michelle Peace
Rights
© The Author(s)
Included in
Analytical Chemistry Commons, Chemicals and Drugs Commons, Other Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons, Pharmacology Commons, Toxicology Commons