A/B cleaner than STB? which method seems to provide the most pure DMT, and least 'jungle crap' stuff?

[radio879]

I have a little bark and I'm wondering if i should just stick to 'safe' A/B? does STB come out less pure?

 

[Transform]

It depends on what bark you're using; for MHRB clean STB results can be had by keeping both the temperature down (20-40°C) and the extraction time short. Some more thorough investigation appears to show that most coloration arises through polymerisation due to prolonged contact with strong base, at least in the case of MHRB. Other barks (and acacia phyllodes) respond better to A/B extraction as they contain additional components which can contribute to an oilier product.

 

[Icon]

It depends on what bark you're using; for MHRB clean STB results can be had by keeping both the temperature down (20-40°C) and the extraction time short. Some more thorough investigation appears to show that most coloration arises through polymerisation due to prolonged contact with strong base, at least in the case of MHRB. Other barks (and acacia phyllodes) respond better to A/B extraction as they contain additional components which can contribute to an oilier product.

In your opinion what is a good compromise between short enough to minimize polymerisation, and long enough to 'break down the bark' with lye? I think that's the main benefit of A/B is to process the bark as much as possible before basification so you can minimize the base time.

The polymer explanation still confuses me though. Can you run through how alkaline aqueous conditions are catalyzing the polymerisation? Is the solution still supposed to be re-dissolving in acid to break the polymers? Because that hasn't changed the color in my experience; of the solutions or the precipitates.

 

[redbird]

In your opinion what is a good compromise between short enough to minimize polymerisation, and long enough to 'break down the bark' with lye? I think that's the main benefit of A/B is to process the bark as much as possible before basification so you can minimize the base time.

You can get a best of both worlds situation by doing an acidic soak with a few freeze thaw cycles before doing STB.
Then you can pull immediately for a clean first batch then let the base soak for a few hours to pull more.