Optimization through a Box–Behnken Experimental Design of the Microwave-Assisted Extraction of the Psychoactive Compounds in Hallucinogenic Fungi (Psylocibe cubensis)
Journal of Fungi – June 02, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
The therapeutic potential of hallucinogenic fungi's alkaloids, like psilocin and psilocybin, is driving interest in psychedelics and drug studies. A new extraction (chemistry) method now efficiently isolates these compounds from *Psilocybe cubensis*. Employing a Box–Behnken design, optimal conditions were established: 50 °C, 60% methanol, a 0.6g:10mL ratio, and 5 minutes. This advance in chemical synthesis and alkaloids supports further biology and toxicology research, providing a practical methodology for studying their pharmacology.
Abstract
Hallucinogenic fungi, mainly those from the Psilocybe genus, are being increasingly consumed even though there is no control on their culture conditions. Due to the therapeutic potential as antidepressants and anxiolytics of the alkaloids that they produce (psilocin and psilocybin), some form of control on their production would be highly recommended. Prior to identifying their optimal culture condition, a methodology that allows their study is required. Microwave-assisted extraction method (MAE) is a technique that has proven its efficiency to extract different compounds from solid matrices. For this reason, this study intends to optimize a MAE method to extract the alkaloids found in Psylocibe cubensis. A surface-response Box–Behnken design has been employed to optimize such extraction method and significantly reduce time and other resources in the extraction process. Based on the Box–Behnken design, 50 °C temperature, 60% methanol as extraction solvent, 0.6 g:10 mL sample mass:solvent ratio and 5 min extraction time, were established as optimal conditions. These mild conditions, combined with a rapid and efficient UHPLC analysis result in a practical and economical methodology for the extraction of psilocin and psilocybin from Psylocibe cubensis.