Taxonomic Identification of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Seized on the Illegal Market Using a DNA-Based Approach and LC/MS-MS Determination of Psilocybin and Psilocin
Gabriella Roda, Stefania Arioli, Veniero Gambaro, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Eleonora Casagni, Caterina Ceravolo, Lucia Dell’acqua, Fiorenza Farè, Chiara Rusconi, Lucia Tamborini, Diego Mora
Journal of Analytical & Bioanalytical Techniques January 1, 2015 DOI: 10.4172/2155-9872.1000277 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMushrooms suspected of containing hallucinogenic compounds were identified using DNA analysis, which proved useful for forensic identification when the material was too degraded for morphological examination. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) method was optimized to quantify psilocybin and psilocin in seized samples, using a synthesized internal standard (5-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine). Psilocybin concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 1.4% and psilocin from 1.3 to 2.5% (w/w), consistent with prior reports. Psilocin was more concentrated in the cap and the lower stem, while psilocybin was higher in the cap and upper stem.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mushroom samples seized by judicial authority |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Mushroom Identification biology Hallucinogen Chemistry |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | DNA-based identification confirmed mushroom species, and LC/MS-MS analysis showed psilocybin concentrations of 0.5–1.4% and psilocin concentrations of 1.3–2.5% (w/w), with distinct distribution patterns in mushroom parts. |
Abstract
The taxonomic identification of mushrooms suspected to contain hallucinogenic active principles was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are difficult to identify because the morphologic identification is prevented, due to the bad conservation of the vegetable material. To confirm the presence of the illegal active principles, the optimization of a LC/MS-MS method for the qualitativequantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in mushroom samples seized by the judicial authority is described. For the quantitative determination it was necessary to identify and synthesize a proper internal standard (IS, i.e., 5-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine), endowed with chromatographic features suitable for the analysis of the active principles. LC/MS-MS analysis evidenced that the amount of psilocybin ranged from 0.5 to 1.4% while that of psilocin from 1.3 to 2.5% (w/w), confirming literature data. The concentration of psilocin was higher in the cap and in the distal part of the stem (near to the soil) than in the part of the stem proximal to the cap. On the other hand the concentration of psilocybin was higher in the cap and in the proximal part, being lower in the distal part of the stem.