GC/MS determination of ibotenic acid and muscimol in the urine of patients intoxicated with Amanita pantherina.
International journal of legal medicine July 1, 2012 Jan Stříbrný, Miloš Sokol, Barbora Merová et al.
Ibotenic acid and muscimol are the main psychoactive compounds in Amanita pantherina and Amanita muscaria mushrooms. Poisoning with A. pantherina is usually accidental due to confusion with edible species, while A. muscaria intoxication is typically intentional for recreational use. Prognosis is generally good, with rare lethal cases. The authors present a new instrumental method to confirm poisoning by isolating ibotenic acid and muscimol from urine using a strong cation exchanger, followed by derivatization and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Concentrations were determined in four individuals intoxicated with A. pantherina. Mass spectra and method validation are provided.