A rapid and simple method for the determination of psychoactive alkaloids by CE‐UV: application to Peganum Harmala seed infusions
Drug Testing and Analysis July 5, 2016 Marcos Tascón, Fernando Benavente, Nora M. Vizioli et al. 18 citations
The β-carboline alkaloids of the harmala group (HAlks), found in plants like Peganum harmala (Syrian rue) and Banisteriopsis caapi, act as reversible monoamine oxidase type A inhibitors (MAOIs). Their levels in natural sources vary greatly, limiting clinical use and leading to recreational or ritual use, such as in Ayahuasca. This work presents a fast, simple, and robust method using capillary electrophoresis with UV detection to simultaneously quantify six common HAlks: harmine, harmaline, harmol, harmalol, harmane, and norharmane. The method was applied to analyze P. harmala seed infusion, detecting harmaline, harmine, and harmol. Validation across three instruments showed transferability and comparable performance.