GC‐MS and GC‐MS/MS in PCI Mode Determination of Mescaline in Peyote Tea and in Biological Matrices

A dark green liquid found in an underage boy's bedroom contained mescaline, the hallucinogen from peyote cactus. Urine tested negative for the drug, but segmental hair analysis detected mescaline in the hair segment closest to the root (0–2 cm), indicating recent use. Distal hair segments were negative. A new gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method was developed to measure mescaline at low concentrations in hair. The case shows that segmental hair analysis can provide long-term information about drug use even when urine is negative.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Peyote, a cactus containing the hallucinogen mescaline, is used to induce altered states of consciousness in religious ceremonies or for recreational purpose. This study reports a case of an underage boy suspected of mescaline abuse. For this purpose, we analyzed a dark green liquid sample found in the bedroom of the boy whose urine and hair samples were collected shortly after the drink was found. A method by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) in positive chemical ionization mode was developed and validated in terms of linearity, specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity for mescaline determination at the low concentrations present in hair. GC ‐ MS analysis of the liquid identified mescaline, while urine was negative; GC ‐ MS / MS segmental hair analysis identified mescaline in the proximal segment (root to 2 cm), while the distal segments were negative. Although peyote was uncommonly encountered, its use was confirmed by segmental hair analysis that can provide long‐term information about drugs use.