Analysis of psilocin, bufotenine and LSD in hair.

A method extracts the hallucinogens psilocin, bufotenine, LSD, and related compounds (iso-LSD, nor-LSD, O-H-LSD) from hair using hydrochloric acid and methanol. Clean-up uses solid-phase extraction with a mixed-mode cation exchanger, and measurement is by liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated per the Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry guidelines. Reference hair samples were created by soaking hair in a dimethyl sulfoxide/methanol solution of the analytes to allow incorporation; these fortified samples served for method development and as quality controls.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A method for the simultaneous extraction of the hallucinogens psilocin, bufotenine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) as well as iso-LSD, nor-LSD and O-H-LSD from hair with hydrochloride acid and methanol is presented. Clean-up of the hair extracts is performed with solid phase extraction using a mixed-mode cation exchanger. Extracts are measured with liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The method was successfully validated according to the guidelines of the 'Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry' (GTFCh). To obtain reference material hair was soaked in a solution of the analytes in dimethyl sulfoxide/methanol to allow incorporation into the hair. These fortified hair samples were used for method development and can be employed as quality controls.