Chemical archaeology of kava, a potent brew.
Kava lactones, which are present in the intoxicating Pacific Island drink, kava, have now been detected in a number of archaeological artefacts using selected-ion monitoring techniques in conjunction with gas chromatography/electron impact-mass spectrometry. Thus it is now possible to link unequivocally kava drinking, a major aspect of the ceremonial culture of many Pacific societies, to the archaeological record. In addition, a new variation of the kava lactone skeleton was tentatively identified in the form of 7,8-dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain and 7,8-dihydro-5,6-dehydromethysticin.
Hocart
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CH
Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra.
Fankhauser
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B
Buckle
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DW
D001106:Archaeology; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D005367:Fiji; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D020901:Kava; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D009514:Vanuatu
D007783:Lactones; D010936:Plant Extracts