Journal of AOAC International
January 20, 2017
Mônica C. Santos, Sandro Navickiene, Alain Gaujac
18 citations
A simple and low-cost method using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography with UV detection was developed to quantify six alkaloids—N,N-dimethyltryptamine, tryptamine, harmine, harmaline, harmalol, and tetrahydroharmine—in ayahuasca samples. The method demonstrated good linearity and repeatability, with a detection limit of 0.12 mg/L. It was applied to 20 samples from a religious group in Fortaleza, Brazil, revealing alkaloid concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 36.7 g/L.
Journal of AOAC International
August 13, 2025
Kimberley Foster, Isaac Morrison, S. Daniel et al.
4 citations
Dried, cultivated Psilocybe cubensis fruiting bodies contained an average of 1.14% psilocybin and psilocin by weight, but batch-to-batch variability led to significant differences in projected dosage, especially for amounts of 3 grams or more. The homogenized biomass showed acceptable levels of microbial, mycotoxin, pesticidal, and heavy metal content, with no significant carcinogenic or other health hazards. Encapsulated biomass stably maintained tryptamine content for 11 months. Standardized, safe biomass suitable for human consumption can be achieved under stringent, aseptic conditions, but each batch should be tested for tryptamine content due to observed variability.
Journal of AOAC International
February 13, 2025
Coleton Windsor, Christopher Niebergall, Kelsey Dodds et al.
4 citations
Six Psilocybe mushroom species were successfully grown indoors under controlled conditions. Chemical analysis using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) quantified psilocybin and psilocin and identified three other compounds. Psilocybin content ranged from 0.45% in P. stuntzii to 1.89% in P. zapotecorum. Psilocybin levels remained stable across three successive flushes of P. stuntzii. Freezing fresh mushrooms at -20 °C before freeze-drying drastically reduced psilocybin and increased psilocin. Species identity was confirmed by anatomy and DNA sequencing. The work demonstrates that poorly studied species can be cultivated and chemically profiled, revealing species-specific differences in psychoactive compounds.