decaying plant material

[inspired_one]

SWIM has a quick question,
when you chop up a bark from a acacia plant ,
is there some sort of time limit before you must you it before the 'good stuff'
starts to decay and /or becomes less of a yield?

Thanks in advance

 

[acolon_5]

There is, but I couldn't tell you what it is.

I know for mimosa if it is whole bark it can last for a year or two (maybe more but I've never let any sit around that long) without loosing potency. Powdered starts loosing conciderable potency within 6 months.

 

[ChemEng]

Unused powder will probably last quite a bit longer if it's kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. The degradation happens due to chemical reactions. As a rule of thumb, every 10 degrees Celsius that you decrease the temperature of the bark, the reaction rate will be halved. So going from room temperature to the fridge should make it last 3-4 times longer.