Qualitative Analysis of Kratom Alkaloids Using Gas Chromatography

Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa , is a plant used as an ethnopharmaceuticals aid for pain relief, fatigue, and pain management. When ingested the plant provides stimulant effects at low doses and opioid-like effects at high doses. These effects are caused by a mixture of over 50 alkaloids present in the plant. Due to its high potential for abuse and negative side effects, it has been banned in many European and South Asian countries. In the United States, there are no national regulations on the sale or purchase of kratom products. Due to the increasing usage of kratom here in the United States, there is a growing need for a method capable of quickly and efficiently analyzing samples containing kratom alkaloids in both the scientific and medical fields. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry is one of the most common analytical methods for detecting and quantifying compounds in both large and minute concentrations. It provides a robust system capable of rapidly analyzing samples. This project aims to develop a method using Gas chromatography – triple quadrupole mass spectrometry along with sialylation derivatization to detect 8 alkaloids present in kratom.