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Deleted User01
Before I give it out to the forum, I uploaded my Chemotype Spreadsheet to Shakas for his review. It only lists the chemotypes for Kavas which we can purchase from our usual vendors. We had a interesting private conversation about chemotypes and we think it is worth repeating. So with permission from all parties involved, here is how our conversation went:
Shakas said:
The table looks good...you might wanna add Just Pacific Trading's Pualiu kava with the chemotype 246531. Not many people have had it, but it is available.
The funny thing about chemotypes though, is that they can only be used as a rough guideline. Depending on growing conditions, age etc...one batch can be different from the next. The chemotype can change and the total Kavalactone content can change. The chemotype can also change depending on how much stump gets mixed with the lateral roots, if any.
you can see, for example, some differences in this popular ones. Lebot's results & Judd's results.
Melomelo Lebot: 245361 vs. BKH: 426135 (or 426153)
Borogu Lebot: 423561 vs. BKH: 246531
Borogoru Lebot: 425361 vs. BKH: 245613
Also, another old hawaiian 'awa source has
Mahakea - 426315 vs. 461235(GHK)
Mo'i - 462351 vs 463251(GHK)
You can also see more variations in Mahakea on page 47 of this PDF:
http://www.awadevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/awabook-web-part-1-of-2.pdf
It also has the other hawaiian 'awas starting on page 39 ...and going on to:
http://www.awadevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/awabook-web-part-2-of-2.pdf
a lot to read if you're interested.
Deleted User01 Said:
Sounds like this chemotype thing might not be cut and dried after all. So then I wonder how often GHK (for example) tests their chemotypes. If a "grower" tests them once a year, shouldn't that be accurate? The resellers don't necessarily know if their grower is testing the chemotype that often. But wouldn't a plant that comes from the same dirt year in and year out have the same chemotype? These may be questions to ask the growers.
Shakas Said.
Chris would probably have pretty consistent results since it all grows on the same land and he cares for them the same way. However, wetter years or drier years could possibly impact things beyond his control. Sellers probably don't test every plant, everytime. They probably just make a generalization off of a test or two...or someone elses test results. I can't recall if Vanuatu made it mandatory or not to test barrels for shipment...
the chart is still a good idea though...you just may wanna preface it with a note about how and why chemotypes can differ...
...and possibly add some known variations in there somwhere, if you want.
Chris with GHK Said:
Yes Shakas is correct, the environment does have an effect on the chemotype, I still think you can get an accurate idea of the effect from the chemotype, it is one of the reasons that I add the chemotypes. It is also what I use to see what a kava might do.
I get the kava tested every 2 years because that is how long it takes for kavalactones to get mature and to give you an accurate chemotype.
Your question was---"wouldn't a plant that comes from the same dirt year in and year out have the same chemotype?"
yes it would be the same chemotype, the only time I have seen it to be different was with a somatic mutation and that is rare and it has effectivly become a new kava if the mutation stays.
That is why I grow my kava in 3 different places for many years, this way I get a consistent product with consistent kavalactone contents and chemotypes. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions, aloha.
Shakas Said:
Cool. Chris is the best, I love him as a vendor. Hands on, direct from the source. 'For the Love of the 'Awa'
Nuff said.
Shakas said:
The table looks good...you might wanna add Just Pacific Trading's Pualiu kava with the chemotype 246531. Not many people have had it, but it is available.
The funny thing about chemotypes though, is that they can only be used as a rough guideline. Depending on growing conditions, age etc...one batch can be different from the next. The chemotype can change and the total Kavalactone content can change. The chemotype can also change depending on how much stump gets mixed with the lateral roots, if any.
you can see, for example, some differences in this popular ones. Lebot's results & Judd's results.
Melomelo Lebot: 245361 vs. BKH: 426135 (or 426153)
Borogu Lebot: 423561 vs. BKH: 246531
Borogoru Lebot: 425361 vs. BKH: 245613
Also, another old hawaiian 'awa source has
Mahakea - 426315 vs. 461235(GHK)
Mo'i - 462351 vs 463251(GHK)
You can also see more variations in Mahakea on page 47 of this PDF:
http://www.awadevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/awabook-web-part-1-of-2.pdf
It also has the other hawaiian 'awas starting on page 39 ...and going on to:
http://www.awadevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/awabook-web-part-2-of-2.pdf
a lot to read if you're interested.
Deleted User01 Said:
Sounds like this chemotype thing might not be cut and dried after all. So then I wonder how often GHK (for example) tests their chemotypes. If a "grower" tests them once a year, shouldn't that be accurate? The resellers don't necessarily know if their grower is testing the chemotype that often. But wouldn't a plant that comes from the same dirt year in and year out have the same chemotype? These may be questions to ask the growers.
Shakas Said.
Chris would probably have pretty consistent results since it all grows on the same land and he cares for them the same way. However, wetter years or drier years could possibly impact things beyond his control. Sellers probably don't test every plant, everytime. They probably just make a generalization off of a test or two...or someone elses test results. I can't recall if Vanuatu made it mandatory or not to test barrels for shipment...
the chart is still a good idea though...you just may wanna preface it with a note about how and why chemotypes can differ...
...and possibly add some known variations in there somwhere, if you want.
Chris with GHK Said:
Yes Shakas is correct, the environment does have an effect on the chemotype, I still think you can get an accurate idea of the effect from the chemotype, it is one of the reasons that I add the chemotypes. It is also what I use to see what a kava might do.
I get the kava tested every 2 years because that is how long it takes for kavalactones to get mature and to give you an accurate chemotype.
Your question was---"wouldn't a plant that comes from the same dirt year in and year out have the same chemotype?"
yes it would be the same chemotype, the only time I have seen it to be different was with a somatic mutation and that is rare and it has effectivly become a new kava if the mutation stays.
That is why I grow my kava in 3 different places for many years, this way I get a consistent product with consistent kavalactone contents and chemotypes. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions, aloha.
Shakas Said:
Cool. Chris is the best, I love him as a vendor. Hands on, direct from the source. 'For the Love of the 'Awa'
Nuff said.
