Hi All,

Sorry I'm a complete nooblet on extractions but I have been reading up on quite a few teks and just curious about some of the chemistry...

I see a lot of reference PH ratings like 4 for Acid soak, 12 for Base extraction etc.

What PH ranges does DMT break down under?

If I accidentally go PH2 does the acid decompose it? Similar on high PH when doing the base phase?

I guess I'm interested in experimenting with things like leaving rougher materials soak a few days in high PH to dissolve the cells more. From side comments I have read it sounds like that will destroy the actives?

I assume that everything is less stable at extreme PH ratings, ie breakdown is catalyzed? I assume this also happens faster with more heat?

Sorry if this is a stupid question I couldn't find much on that side of things and I'm a real rooky with chemistry.

I don't think it matters if you over acidify/base. I don't see how you could destroy the DMT. It reacts with the acid/alkali to form either a compound or a freebase. Once that's happened, there's no more interaction the acid or base can have.

I certainly know people make solutions much more basic than required with no issue. I'm not sure if excessive acidity would pull extra unwanted compounds from the bark.

I think it's probably a matter of efficiency; past a certain point, increasing or decreasing the pH has no effect on the chemistry going on.