Variation in the accumulation levels of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in micropropagated trees and in in vitro cultures of Mimosa tenuiflora

N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and its metabolic precursors accumulate differently across organs of Mimosa tenuiflora trees depending on season and tissue age. DMT concentrations ranged from 0.01% dry weight in flowers to 0.33% dry weight in bark. In vitro plantlets produced high DMT yields (0.1-0.2% dry weight), while calluses initially contained DMT but levels dropped sharply in later subcultures.

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Abstract

The present article reports the accumulation of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and its metabolic precursors (tryptophan, tryptamine) in different organs of micropropagated Mimosa tenuiflora trees (leaves, flowers and bark) subjected to seasonal variations (January and June), as well as in in vitro cultures (plantlets and calluses) of this plant species. The accumulation of all the tested compounds varied according to the organ, the month of collection, and age of the plant material. In all cases, the neurotoxic compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) was detected with the lowest concentration 0.01% dry weight (DW) in flowers, and the highest 0.33% DW in bark. For the in vitro cultures, DMT was present in high yields in plantlets (0.1-0.2% DW), while in calluses this compound was initially detected but its concentration decreased significantly in the subsequent subcultures.