Kratom is all the rage right now, but what exactly is it? If you want to know more about Kratom or any related products, you have to start with the basic ingredient present in the Kratom leaf – Mitragynine. Yes, this is where it all starts.
Kratom is a herb, like many other herbs we see around us, but what makes it unique, or gives it different properties, are the unique alkaloids present in Kratom leaves. One of the most dominant of these alkaloids is Mitragynine, which is also the reason behind the Kratom tree’s scientific name, which is Mitragyna speciosa.
What Are the Prominent Active Ingredients in Kratom?
Before we list and discuss the active ingredients in Kratom, let’s explore the term “active ingredient” a little more. So what exactly active ingredient represents?
Well, scientifically, the active ingredient is the ingredient mostly in compounds and plants that is biologically alive. The purest form of active ingredient you get in your product, the higher the quality it offers.
Next, what are the key active ingredients in Kratom products?
In total, Kratom has around 40 different compounds or phytochemicals present in it. Most of these compounds are alkaloids related to each other, while some can be classified as terpenoid saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, and polyphenols. However, all these are sourced from different parts of the Kratom tree.
When we limit our ingredients only to Kratom leaf, from where Kratom herb and related products are sourced, we are left with mostly alkaloids and then flavonoids. The two most dominant active alkaloids in the Kratom leaf are.
- Mitragynine
- 7-hydroxymitragynine
This means that when you buy Kratom products, whether, in the extract, powder, capsule, or any other form, you get the above two alkaloids along with few flavonoids in smaller concentrations.
Defining Mitragynine
Mitragynine, if we define it more in scientific terms, is a psychoactive alkaloid. Keep in mind – the alkaloid is only present in Kratom leaves, which is why Kratom is a unique tree. Even the other compound found in Kratom leaves, 7-hydroxymitragynine, is also a derivative of Mitragynine.
Nex, what about the molecular formula? The molecular formula of the alkaloid is C23H30N2O4, while the Molecular weight is 398.50 g/mol. The melting point of the compound is around 102C to 106C.
If we go into history, it was first identified back in 1921. However, it takes more than 4 decades to completely identify its molecular structure, which was first defined and published in 1964. If you want to know its systematic name, or in other words, Chemical Abstract, it is as follows:
(αE,2S,3S,12bS)-3-ethyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydro-8-methoxy-α-(methoxymethylene)-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizine-2-acetic acid methyl ester
As every compound is also registered with Chemical Abstracts Service, also called CAS Registry Number, Mitragynine is listed as 4098-40-2.
In the scientific world, that is, in different scientific journals, Mitragynine is also known by several other chemical names, as listed below.
- SK&F 12711
- 18-seco-20α-yohimban-16-carboxylic acid methyl ester
- 9-methoxycorynantheidine
- 17-dimethoxy-17
- (E)-16,17-didehydro-9
When it comes to chemical properties of the compound, it is insoluble in water. In simple words, the chemical synthesis of Mitragynine is too complex for humans to produce on our own in the laboratories. This left Kratom tree as the only source to get it.
More About Kratom Leaf
Kratom leaves are mostly oval, or in some cases, ovate-lanceolate. However, some strains are sourced from more unique shapes as well.
For example, one of the popular Kratom strains, Elephant strain, is sourced from relatively larger Kratom leaves. In fact, the name Elephant Kratom is because the shape of the Kratom leaves resembles the Elephant’s year.
Mitragynine is, in fact, the most abundant indole-based alkaloid found in the Kratom tree. In an average-sized leaf, you can find total alkaloid concentration between 0.5% to 1.5%. Out of this, the dominant alkaloid is Mitragynine, which makes up to 66% of the total alkaloids. The secondary derivate, 7-hydroxymitragynine, makes around 2% of the total alkaloids.
However, the concentration of Mitragynine in the leaf or the Kratom powder also depends on the Kratom strains and the vein color. For example, when strains like Thai Kratom has usually the highest concentration of Mitragynine, strains sourced from Malaysia, like Malay Kratom has usually lower concentration, around 12%.
The Connection Between Mitragynine and Leaf Vein Colors
Other than strains, the concentration of Mitragynine in the leaf, and then subsequently in Kratom products, like Kratom powders, Kratom capsules, and Kratom extracts also depends on the leaf vein color.
For example, the green vein means the leave is young, and the concentration of the primary alkaloids is low. Next, white veins represent much older leaves with higher concentration of alkaloids. Third, leaves with red veins are the most mature leaves with the highest concentration of Mitragynine and other alkaloids.
This is why it is important to decide about the kratom vein colors as well as the Kratom strains before buying Kratom products, no matter powder, capsules, or extracts. This decides about the concentration of Mitragynine in the product you are buying.
Those who prefer usually lighter concentrations of alkaloids go with white vein colors, while others who prefer higher concentrations of Mitragynine usually buy red Kratom, like Red Bali Kratom, one of the most popular Kratom powders on Buy Kratom Bulk USA.
However, no strain comes without Mitragynine. Also, keep in mind, when buying kratom strains, it doesn’t mean it only contains Mitragynine, as different strains contain dozens of different flavonoids as well, giving them different properties.
For example, the Red Bali Kratom not only has a higher concentration of Mitragynine (around 65%), but it also contains more than 25 different flavonoids. For example, Paynantheine makes 10% of the total alkaloids, while 7-Hydroximitragynine and Speciogynine also make around 15% of the volume. The rest of the alkaloids and other compounds are available in a much lower concentration.
Buy Kratom from Authentic Source
As mentioned above, Kratom products are all about the ingredients, or in more scientific terms, alkaloids, and flavonoids present in it. This is why it is important that you are buying from authentic sources that are importing directly from high-quality farms back in Southeast Asia.
Keep in mind, Kratom tree is native to Southeast Asia, and grows naturally in nutrition-rich soil of tropical islands in and around Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and surrounding countries. One such source for authentic Kratom strains is Buy Kratom Bulk USA.
You not only get one of the most amazing range of Kratom powders and capsules available in the US but also the purest concentration of all alkaloids and flavonoids, including Mitragynine. For each listed product, you can learn about the origins of the strain, vein color, and everything you want to know before buying.
For example, one of our popular Kratom strains, Indo Kratom, is sourced from some of the best Kratom farms back in Indonesia. The strain is available in two vein colors, that is, red and green, in both powder and capsule form.
These strains are sourced only from dense Kratom forests in Indonesia, known for its nutrition-rich soil, which ultimately reflects in better quality Kratom products and Kratom extracts.
All in all, every single strain and every single vein color variation, or in other words, different concentrations of Mitragynine, is sourced from only the authentic farms in Southeast Asian countries, so you get only the purest products.
Legal Issues Surrounding Mitragynine
In fact, Mitragynine is the ingredient because of which this question arises: “is kratom legal?”. Mostly kratom is legal in the wor,d but it is banned In some of the countries in the world (18 in total). However, there is no scientific study or evidence against Mitragynine, which is why Kratom is sold in most parts of the world without any issue.
In the US, Kratom or Mitragynine is legal to sell in most of the states except six. In some states like Florida, there are one or two towns where Kratom is banned. This is why it is important to check is kratom illegal in your area before ordering online to buy Kratom.
Final Words
We are sure you now know everything about Mitragynine and why it is important when we talk about Kratom. In fact, Mitragynine is the key ingredient that makes Kratom unique and popular. As Mitragynine is only unique to Kratom tree, and its chemical formula is too complex for humans to create on our own, Kratom leaves are the only source to get this unique compound.
However, when buying Kratom, the only thing you need to keep in mind is the concentration of Mitragynine in the Kratom powder or capsule. For this, you primarily need to decide between the vein colors (green, white, and red), and then about the strain you want.
You can learn all about the Kratom veins and different strains on our kratom blog section. If you still have a question or want to contact our support, you can drop a message in the comment section, and someone from our team will reach out to you in time. 
