Forensic analysis of hallucinogenic mushrooms and khat (Catha edulis Forsk) using cation-exchange liquid chromatography.
Tim Laussmann, Sigrid Meier-Giebing
Forensic science international February 25, 2010 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.12.013 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA new HPLC method using cation-exchange liquid chromatography can quantify the hallucinogenic alkaloids psilocin and psilocybin in mushrooms and the stimulant alkaloids cathinone and cathine in khat without lengthy sample preparation. Applied to seized samples, dried Panaeolus cyanescens mushrooms contained up to 3.00 mg of psilocin per 100 mg. In khat, high cathinone concentrations were found not only in leaves but also in green parts and bark of stalks. Freeze-drying fresh material preserved the highest alkaloid levels.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Method development and analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Hallucinogenic mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis, Panaeolus cyanescens, sclerotia of Psilocybe species) and khat (Catha edulis) shoots |
| Key finding | Dried Panaeolus cyanescens mushrooms contained the highest total psilocin, up to 3.00 mg per 100 mg, and cathinone was found in leaves, green parts, and bark of khat stalks. |
Abstract
Hallucinogenic mushrooms (e.g. Psilocybe and Panaeolus species) as well as leaves and young shoots of the khat tree (Catha edulis Forsk) are illicit drugs in many countries. The exact concentration of the hallucinogenic alkaloids psilocin and psilocybin in mushrooms and the sympathomimetic alkaloids cathinone and cathine in khat is usually essential for jurisdiction. Facing an increasing number of mushroom and khat seizures by German customs authorities, a convenient comprehensive quantitative HPLC method based on cation-exchange liquid chromatography for these rather "exotic" drugs has been developed which avoids time-consuming multi-step sample preparation or chemical derivatization procedures. Using this method a number of different hallucinogenic fungi species and products that are mainly distributed via the internet have been analysed (dried and fresh Psilocybe cubensis Singer as well as P. cubensis collected from "grow boxes", Panaeolus cyanescens Berkeley and Broome and so-called "philosopher stones" (sclerotia of Psilocybe species)). Highest total amounts of psilocin have been detected in dried P. cyanescens reaching up to 3.00+/-0.24 mg per 100 mg. The distribution of khat alkaloids in different parts of the khat shoots has been studied. High concentrations of cathinone have not only been detected in leaves but also in green parts and barks of stalks. Additionally, the sample treatment for fresh mushroom and khat samples has been optimised. Highest amounts of alkaloids were found when fresh material was freeze-dried.