Troubleshooting AARB extraction

[koota]

Hello Nexus,

I'm currently troubleshooting my first attempts at extraction. I'm a novice, but I can follow documented procedures methodically, so I figured an A/B extraction would be relatively straightforward. However, my two initial runs have challenged that assumption.

I'm working within the limitations of being in Australia, so my material options are largely limited to Acacia acuminata root bark and/or phyllodes. I sourced my starting material from what I understand to be a reputable vendor.

Attempt 1:
I followed Minty’s DPTEK:

• 3× freeze/thaw cycles in acetic acid
• Combined with basic salted solution
• Quick, room-temp naphtha pulls
• Freeze precipitation

This yielded nothing. Not a single crystal or precipitate.

Attempt 2:
I followed Cyb’s Hybrid Salt Tek. The prolonged warm pulls and increased agitation gave me a much yellower solvent, which precipitated into a little goo. Not much, but definitely something. I tested a tiny amount and experienced effects, so there's active alkaloid present.

Still, something is clearly off in my process. I acknowledge I might be the weak link, but the steps seem so straightforward that I’ve struggled to pinpoint what could be causing such poor outcomes, especially the zero yield on the first run.

I’ve combed through the Acacia Extraction Workspace (an amazing resource, huge thanks to all contributors) and many threads here, but haven’t found anything conclusive.

This brings me to my main suspicion: the solvent. I’ve been using Diggers brand Shellite, which I’ve seen reported as inconsistent. That said, I hadn’t expected it to be responsible for a complete yield failure.

To test this, I’ve picked up some Zippo lighter fluid and plan to do a warm pull on the retained soup from my Cyb’s run. It’s pricey, but reportedly reliable. Hopefully this comparison sheds some light.

Evap test results:

• Diggers Shellite = oily residue
• Zippo = faint chalky film, no oil

Next steps: I may trial another tek involving boiling or even pressure cooking, and possibly look at alternative solvents entirely.

Open to any thoughts, critiques, or pointers. Cheers!

Here's a few observations my mate was telling me from AA typ variety:
*Try 3 freeze/thaw cycles prior to acid bath: Mix bark with distilled water in a zip lock bag and put in freezer until solid. On the final defrost when bark is fully thawed, chuck it in the blender. The freezing process ruptures the cell walls and blender reduces particle size even further which should add to efficiency.
*pH is important to maintain at 4. Too low like 3 and you'll pull all the other crap out. Buy a digital pH meter from jaycar and litmus paper to check it's on point. Get pH right before cook. Use food grade phospouric acid insteadof vinegar. There's a place in Malaga that sells it.
*Use a slow cooker instead of stove boil. Too much temp will bring through other junk and potentially degradade the alkaloid in the process. Put the slow cooker on low and maintain the temp around 50°C and cook for around 1.5hrs total including heat ramp up. Bunnings sells a digital thermometer for $20.
* For base and solvent phase try and maintain temp at around 40-50°C by means of heat bath. Just fill up your laundry trough with a couple of kettles of boiling water and sit vessels in there while going through your processes.
* Don't shake the shit out of it. Try to get all air out and rotate end to end. Using HDPE plastic bottles makes it easier as you can squeeze them to get air out and also helps with the pull. You can buy them from the same place in Malaga.

This should make a big difference in your goo factor. At least that's what my mate said. He's still tuning it himself so it's a work in progress.