Sensitive quantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples from suspected users and their distribution in seized hallucinogenic mushrooms
Liying Zhou, Ping Xiang, Di Wen, Baohua Shen, Xin Wang, Le Li, Hongxiao Deng, Hang Chen, Hui Yan, Min Shen, Yan Shi, Wanhui Liu
Forensic Toxicology February 2, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-020-00566-3 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA highly sensitive method for measuring psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples from magic mushroom users was developed using ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The technique achieved a detection limit of 1 pg/mg and a quantification limit of 5 pg/mg, with linear calibration from 5 to 500 pg/mg. In two authentic hair samples, psilocin concentrations were 161 and 150 pg/mg, while psilocybin was not detected. The method also analyzed psilocin and psilocybin distribution in seven hallucinogenic mushrooms. This represents the first measurement of psilocin in hair from hallucinogenic mushroom consumers and the most sensitive quantitative method for these compounds in hair.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Method development and validation Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Hair samples from magic mushroom consumers |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Detection limit Selected reaction monitoring Formic acid Electrospray ionization |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key finding | Psilocin concentrations of 161 and 150 pg/mg were found in hair samples from two magic mushroom consumers, while psilocybin was not detected in either sample. |
Abstract
Abstract Purpose In this study, we developed a very sensitive method for quantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples of magic mushroom consumers. Methods The analyses were performed with pretreatments of samples, followed by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (LC) connected to a Q-Trap type tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). For LC, mobile phase (A) consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water, and mobile phase (B) was acetonitrile for gradient elution using a Acquity™ UPLC HSS T3 column. For MS/MS, electrospray ionization measurements in positive selected reaction monitoring mode were used. Results The calibration curves were linear from 5 to 500 pg/mg ( r > 0.99) and no selectivity problems occurred. The limit of detection was 1 pg/mg, and the lower limit of quantitation was 5 pg/mg. The ranges of the matrix effects and recovery rates were 90.4–107% and 76.0–102%, respectively. Conclusions The concentrations of psilocin in two authentic hair were 161 and 150 pg/mg, respectively, and psilocybin was not detected from both samples. This method was also used to analyze the distribution of psilocin and psilocybin in seven hallucinogenic mushrooms. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of psilocin concentrations in hair samples of hallucinogenic mushroom consumers, and also our method is most sensitive for quantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in hair samples.