Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometric Determination of Hallucinogenic Indoles Psilocin and Psilocybin in “Magic Mushroom” Samples
Journal of Forensic Sciences – March 01, 2005
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocybin levels in "magic mushrooms" vary dramatically, from 0.18 to 3.8 mg/g dry weight, based on analysis of four samples. This precise analytical Chemistry, using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, is vital for understanding these tryptamine-type psychedelics. Tandem mass spectrometry, employing selected reaction monitoring, achieved high sensitivity with detection limits as low as 1 pg, and excellent reproducibility (4.21–5.93% variation) without derivatization. Such Chromatography methods are crucial for Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, informing Psychedelics and Drug Studies, and understanding Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior.
Abstract
Abstract Accurate and sensitive analytical methods for psilocin (PC) and psilocybin (PB), tryptamine-type hallucinogens contained in “magic mushrooms,” were investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The chromatographic separation on an ODS column and mass spectral information gave complete discrimination between PC and PB without derivatization. The mass spectrometric detection had a high sensitivity, and the tandem mass spectrometric detection provided more specificity and accuracy, as well as high sensitivity. The detection limits ranged from 1 to 25 pg by LC-MS in the selected ion monitoring mode, and the intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were estimated to be 4.21–5.93% by LC-MS-MS in the selected reaction monitoring mode. By applying the present LC-MS-MS technique to four real samples, the contents of PC and PB were found to vary over a wide range (0.60–1.4 and 0.18–3.8 mg/g dry wt. for PC and PB, respectively) between samples.