Discrimination of Psychoactive Fungi (Commonly Called "Magic Mushrooms") Based on the DNA Sequence of the Internal Transcribed Spacer Region.
Takuro Maruyama, Osamu Shirota, Nobuo Kawahara, Kazumasa Yokoyama, Yukiko Makino, Yukihiro Goda
Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi) January 1, 2003 DOI: 10.3358/shokueishi.44.44 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMagic mushrooms sold in Japanese markets are difficult to identify by appearance alone, especially when dried and powdered. By analyzing the internal transcribed spacer region of their ribosomal RNA gene, researchers classified the samples into six genetic groups and matched them to known species using DNA databases. Chemical analysis showed that Panaeolus cyanescens contained the highest level of psilocin among the mushrooms tested, while Amanita species contained none.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Magic mushrooms obtained from Japanese markets |
| Keywords | Internal transcribed spacer Sequence biology Genetics |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key finding | DNA sequencing of the ITS region classified tested magic mushrooms into six groups and identified their species, with Panaeolus cyanescens having the highest psilocin content and Amanita species lacking it. |
Abstract
'Magic mushrooms' (MMs) are psychoactive fungi containing the hallucinogenic compounds, psilocin (1) and psilocybin (2). Since June 6, 2002, these fungi have been regulated by the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law in Japan. Because there are many kinds of MMs and they are sold even as dry powders in local markets, it is very difficult to identify the original species of the MMs by morphological observation. Therefore, we investigated the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region in the ribosomal RNA gene of MMs obtained in Japanese markets to classify them by a genetic approach. Based on the size and nucleotide sequence of the ITS region amplified by PCR, tested MMs were classified into 6 groups. Furthermore, a comparison of the DNA sequences of the MMs with those of authentic samples or with those found in the databases (GenBank, EMBL and DDBJ) made it possible to identify the species of tested MMs. Analysis by LC revealed that psilocin (1) was contained at the highest level in Panaeolus cyanescens among the MMs, but was absent in the Amanita species.