Variations in mitragynine content in the naturally growing Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) population of Thailand

Nisa Leksungnoen; Nisa Leksungnoen; Nisa Leksungnoen; Tushar Andriyas; Chatchai Ngernsaengsaruay; Suwimon Uthairatsamee; Phruet Racharak; Weerasin Sonjaroon; Roger Kjelgren; Brian J. Pearson; Christopher R. McCurdy; Abhisheak Sharma

doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.1028547

Frontiers in Plant Science (Oct 2022)

Variations in mitragynine content in the naturally growing Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) population of Thailand

Nisa Leksungnoen,
Nisa Leksungnoen,
Nisa Leksungnoen,
Tushar Andriyas,
Chatchai Ngernsaengsaruay,
Suwimon Uthairatsamee,
Phruet Racharak,
Weerasin Sonjaroon,
Roger Kjelgren,
Brian J. Pearson,
Christopher R. McCurdy,
Abhisheak Sharma

Affiliations

Nisa Leksungnoen: Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Nisa Leksungnoen: Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Nisa Leksungnoen: Center for Advance Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Tushar Andriyas: Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Chatchai Ngernsaengsaruay: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Suwimon Uthairatsamee: Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Phruet Racharak: Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Weerasin Sonjaroon: School of Integrated Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Roger Kjelgren: The University of Florida (UF)/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Department of Environmental Horticulture, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, United States
Brian J. Pearson: The University of Florida (UF)/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Department of Environmental Horticulture, Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, United States
Christopher R. McCurdy: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
Abhisheak Sharma: Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1028547
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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We analyzed the content of mitragynine (MG) found in kratom leaves (Mitragyna speciosa) and the influence of different environmental conditions (air and soil variables) on the yield in various regions of Thailand. The content of MG in kratom leaves ranged from 7.5 – 26.6 mg g-1 of dry leaf weight. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that the most significant environmental variables affecting the MG content among the various regions were light intensity, relative humidity, soil volumetric water content (VW), soil pH, and calcium. This study is a first step towards providing information about environmental conditions suitable to maximize the quality and quantity of bioactive alkaloids in kratom. Future studies should focus on leaf collection and the post-harvest processes in order to assure the desired alkaloidal content in finished products, when produced under suitable environmental conditions identified in this study.

Published in Frontiers in Plant Science

ISSN: 1664-462X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Plant culture
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science

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