Optimization of Psilocybin Extraction from Psilocybe cubensis Mushrooms and Characterization of the Fungal Extract
Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society January 1, 2026 Mateus Araújo Da Luz, Taynah Pereira Galdino, Lucas Matheus da S. Oliveira et al.
Optimizing the extraction of psilocybin from Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms using an acidified ethanol solvent at pH 2 and 25 °C, without added water, yields up to 50.03 mg of psilocybin per gram of extract (about 1% psilocybin). This exceeds yields reported in similar studies. Analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified six compounds: the known indole alkaloids psilocybin and psilocin, plus four compounds not previously reported in the Psilocybe genus—sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, norvaline, tetronomycin, and N-(tetradecanoyl)-sphinganine.