The Determination of Psilocin and Psilocybin in Hallucinogenic Mushrooms by HPLC Utilizing a Dual Reagent Acidic Potassium Permanganate and Tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) Chemiluminescence Detection System
Journal of Forensic Sciences – January 01, 2006
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Identifying the hallucinogen psilocybin in mushrooms is now dramatically more sensitive. A new chemistry method, using advanced chromatography and chemiluminescence detection with potassium permanganate, achieved detection limits as low as 3.5 x 10⁻⁹ mol/L for psilocybin. This precise technique, crucial for psychedelics and drug studies, refines various extraction chemistry approaches, including solid phase extraction. Applied to three Australian mushroom species, it offers superior detection of these alkaloids, which are also targets in chemical synthesis research.
Abstract
ABSTRACT: This paper describes a procedure for the determination of psilocin and psilocybin in mushroom extracts using high‐performance liquid chromatography with postcolumn chemiluminescence detection. A number of extraction methods for psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushrooms were investigated, with a simple methanolic extraction being found to be most effective. Psilocin and psilocybin were extracted from a variety of hallucinogenic mushrooms using methanol. The analytes were separated on a C 12 column using a (95:5% v/v) methanol:10 mM ammonium formate, pH 3.5 mobile phase with a run time of 5 min. Detection was realized through a dual reagent chemiluminescence detection system of acidic potassium permanganate and tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II). The chemiluminescence detection system gave improved detectability when compared with UV absorption at 269 nm, with detection limits of 1.2 × 10 −8 and 3.5 × 10 −9 mol/L being obtained for psilocin and psilocybin, respectively. The procedure was applied to the determination of psilocin and psilocybin in three Australian species of hallucinogenic mushroom.