Sensitive quantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples from suspected users and their distribution in seized hallucinogenic mushrooms
Forensic Toxicology – February 02, 2021
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocin, a potent hallucinogen, was detected in human hair samples from consumers at 161 and 150 pg/mg. This significant advance in Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis utilized a highly sensitive quantitative chemistry method. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), specifically High-performance liquid chromatography with formic acid and electrospray ionization in selected reaction monitoring, achieved a 1 pg/mg detection limit for psilocybin and psilocin. This tandem mass spectrometry approach also analyzed seven hallucinogenic mushrooms, contributing to Psychedelics and Drug Studies and broader mushroom analysis.
Abstract
Abstract Purpose In this study, we developed a very sensitive method for quantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples of magic mushroom consumers. Methods The analyses were performed with pretreatments of samples, followed by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (LC) connected to a Q-Trap type tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). For LC, mobile phase (A) consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water, and mobile phase (B) was acetonitrile for gradient elution using a Acquity™ UPLC HSS T3 column. For MS/MS, electrospray ionization measurements in positive selected reaction monitoring mode were used. Results The calibration curves were linear from 5 to 500 pg/mg ( r > 0.99) and no selectivity problems occurred. The limit of detection was 1 pg/mg, and the lower limit of quantitation was 5 pg/mg. The ranges of the matrix effects and recovery rates were 90.4–107% and 76.0–102%, respectively. Conclusions The concentrations of psilocin in two authentic hair were 161 and 150 pg/mg, respectively, and psilocybin was not detected from both samples. This method was also used to analyze the distribution of psilocin and psilocybin in seven hallucinogenic mushrooms. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of psilocin concentrations in hair samples of hallucinogenic mushroom consumers, and also our method is most sensitive for quantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples.