The authors report the isolation and structural identification of a new alkaloid from peyote. Using spectroscopic and chemical methods, the compound is identified as a conjugate of mescaline with a carbohydrate moiety. The work provides the first full characterization of this naturally occurring mescaline derivative, expanding knowledge of the alkaloid composition in the peyote cactus.
The biosynthesis of mescaline in peyote cactus involves the conversion of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine from precursors. The paper reports experimental evidence for the biosynthetic pathway, showing that labeled precursors are incorporated into mescaline, supporting a specific route involving hydroxylation and methylation steps. The findings clarify the natural production of this alkaloid in the plant.