Extraction - Kratom extract idea

[Nicaine]

I just picked up 1/4 kilo (250g) of standard commercial grade Kratom... my plan is to make a tea extract by multiple boiling/filtering steps, then dry the extract by evaporation & pack it into capsules. This will be an experiment, hopefully it'll be a more cost-effective method than buying the premium powder (which is potent, but insanely expensive on a per-dose basis... the commercial grade I calculated as 30-50% cheaper based on alkaloid content). The capsules will also avoid the bad taste.

Anyway, I got this idea... I wonder if there may be some alkaloids in Kratom that aren't too water soluble, and that's why extracts don't work well for some people. So what I plan to do is save the filtered powder after boiling, and mix it in 99% isopropyl alcohol. Let it soak in the alcohol for a few hours, then filter and let the alcohol evaporate. Wonder if this will extract some alkaloids that normally don't get extracted by boiling. Should be an interesting experiment anyway. If anyone else tries this (or has tried it) let me know. Any other ideas/suggestions also welcome.Edited by: Nicaine

[Alfa]

I guess you do not mean boiling it down at 100 degrees celcius, but just to be sure I'd advise you to let the water evaporate in a stove. I do not know if the active alkaloids are heat resistant. Why not start with a solvent from the start?

[Nicaine]

I was thinking about doing the evaporation in a microwave oven set to around 30% (i.e. keeping the water hot but not boiling). The stove sounds like a decent idea too... either way I guess.

The "tea method" detailed at www.mrkratom.com/preparation.htm suggests that the alkaloids are fairly heat-resistant, but I agree it would be a bad idea to evaporate directly on a hot burner.

Re: starting with solvents... the problem is I don't know what solvents would be correct (aside from water). The alcohol would just be an experiment, in case it would extract something the water didn't. If anyone has other suggestions, I'm open to it. I figure hot water is probably the best solvent, but who knows.

I'll post in detail what I end up doing, and how the results turn out. Could be helpful to someone who wants to save money on Kratom buying commercial grade and extracting the alkaloids... IMHO premium powder is hideously expensive on the basis of per-dose.Edited by: Nicaine

[Nicaine]

Dang, I just can't wait... hopefully the K. I ordered comes in around Tues/Wed (the place I ordered from is on the same coast as me, two states away).

I so love the buzz from the stuff (warm fuzzies galore), and am looking forward to a real adventure in extraction. C'mon, mail... Edited by: Nicaine