LSA extraction with acidic water (MG seeds)

[Cufko]

Hi guys. I'm a new guy here and I'm still learning about everything. And I'm having a hard time understanding chemistry behind the extractions ...

I would like to extract LSA from Morning Glory seeds. I was thinking I could just try to extract it with acidic water (water + juice of 1 lemon). But the last time I did that, with approximately 150 grinded seeds, it didn't work.

I understand that water is polar, and that polar things are used to extract other polar things, and that acidifying the water makes the extraction of polar things easier. Now I'm not sure if alkaloids are polar or not, and if LSA is polar or not. And I'm not even sure where the LSA goes when I put grinded Morning Glory seeds into acidic water.
I also understand that light and heat can destroy LSA, and I was careful of that.

So, the question is ... Can I extract LSA from morning glory seeds in water? I do understand that the extract wouldn't be pure LSA. I'm just asking if I can get LSA out of the seeds if I put them in water.

NOW, before you say I didn't do enough research, I'm only interested in WATER extraction, and not in any alcohol or petroleum ether extractions.

Thanks!

 

[benzyme]

yes, LSA has some polar/ionizable groups, but also realize an acidic extraction will also pull other alkaloids.
people often add a nonpolar solvent to the acidic extract to separate the lipophilic, nonactive components of the seeds

 

[Cufko]

yes, LSA has some polar/ionizable groups, but also realize an acidic extraction will also pull other alkaloids.
people often add a nonpolar solvent to the acidic extract to separate the lipophilic, nonactive components of the seeds

Good, that's great! Thanks!

Can you also tell me what's the best way to get as much LSA into water as possible, and what are "the other alkaloids"?

 

[benzyme]

there are no tricks, take the pH to about 5, and most of the LSA will be protonated and water-soluble.

the other component in the seeds is ergometrine (aka ergonovine)

 

[Kash]

Yup, if your not worried about purifying then just soak in lemon acidified water with occassional mixing then filter out the goop and collect water. Do multiple soaks and combine the final volumes if you want to be thorough.

 

[Cufko]

Thank you guys, that's all I need.