Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometric Determination of Hallucinogenic Indoles Psilocin and Psilocybin in “Magic Mushroom” Samples

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) can accurately and sensitively detect psilocin and psilocybin, the hallucinogens in magic mushrooms, without derivatization. Tandem mass spectrometry provides high specificity and accuracy. Detection limits range from 1 to 25 picograms by LC-MS in selected ion monitoring mode, with intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation of 4.21–5.93% by LC-MS-MS in selected reaction monitoring mode. Analysis of four real samples showed psilocin content from 0.60 to 1.4 mg/g dry weight and psilocybin content from 0.18 to 3.8 mg/g dry weight, varying widely between samples.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Accurate and sensitive analytical methods for psilocin (PC) and psilocybin (PB), tryptamine-type hallucinogens contained in “magic mushrooms,” were investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The chromatographic separation on an ODS column and mass spectral information gave complete discrimination between PC and PB without derivatization. The mass spectrometric detection had a high sensitivity, and the tandem mass spectrometric detection provided more specificity and accuracy, as well as high sensitivity. The detection limits ranged from 1 to 25 pg by LC-MS in the selected ion monitoring mode, and the intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were estimated to be 4.21–5.93% by LC-MS-MS in the selected reaction monitoring mode. By applying the present LC-MS-MS technique to four real samples, the contents of PC and PB were found to vary over a wide range (0.60–1.4 and 0.18–3.8 mg/g dry wt. for PC and PB, respectively) between samples.