The Occurrence of Tryptamine Derivatives in Psilocybe semilanceata
Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C – August 01, 1988
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Hallucinogenic mushrooms contain widely varying amounts of psychoactive compounds. Analysis of 52 Swiss *Psilocybe semilanceata* mushroom samples, using chromatography, revealed their complex tryptamine chemistry. The alkaloid psilocybin ranged from 0.21-2.02%, with baeocystin at 0.05-0.77%. Such variability in these psychedelics is crucial for drug studies and understanding chemical synthesis of alkaloids. This knowledge of mushroom chemistry also informs broader fungal identification, important for distinguishing species, including those where specific treatments like Silymarin are used for poisoning.
Abstract
The content of tryptamine derivatives in Psilocybe semilanceata, a popular hallucinogenic mushroom, was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Most of the 52 samples have been collected at several localities in Switzerland during a 1-5 year period. The content of psilocybin and baeocystin varied in the range of 0.21-2.02% and 0.05-0.77%, respectively, whereas only traces of psilocin were present. The variability of the alkaloid level depending on origin, year of collection, size and part of mushrooms is discussed.