Validation and exploratory application of a simple, rapid and economical procedure (MESQ) for the quantification of mescaline in fresh cactus tissue and aqueous cactus extracts
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) April 3, 2022 Van der Sypt Frederick A.p.
An accessible procedure called MESQ (Microscale Extraction followed by Scanometric Quantitative thin-layer chromatography) was validated for measuring mescaline in live cactus tissue and aqueous extracts. The method was tested on Lophophora williamsii (peyote) and three Echinopsis species. It revealed a previously unknown radial mescaline gradient in L. williamsii and a longitudinal gradient in Echinopsis species. A predictable correlation appeared between mescaline concentration in targeted biopsies and overall cactus strength. The procedure supports selective propagation of mescaline-rich specimens to protect wild populations and helps users dose extracts accurately, contributing to harm reduction for both the cacti and their users.