Untargeted analysis of psilocybin and non-psilocybin mushrooms using liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry.

Psilocybin mushrooms, which contain psychoactive compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, are being studied for treating psychological disorders. An untargeted chemical analysis using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry compared the chemical diversity of several psilocybin mushroom species to edible non-psilocybin mushrooms. The analysis identified multiple classes of compounds and their derivatives. Principal component analysis showed that psilocybin mushrooms and non-psilocybin mushrooms are compositionally very different from each other. These findings deepen understanding of the chemical complexity of psilocybin mushrooms and provide a foundation for future research into their medical and psychological applications.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psilocybin mushrooms, particularly those containing the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin, have attracted recent attention due to their potential therapeutic use for the treatment of psychological disorders. To use psilocybin mushrooms in a clinical context, it is important to understand their chemical composition more fully. An untargeted analysis using liquid chromatography (LC) quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was performed to explore the chemical diversity of various species of psilocybin mushrooms (PM) relative to edible non-psilocybin mushrooms (NPM). The analysis was performed using reversed phase LC with electrospray ionization in data independent acquisition mode. The study revealed the presence of several classes of compounds and their derivatives. The data was analyzed using multiple statistical methods. Principal component analysis showed that the psilocybin mushrooms and non-psilocybin mushrooms are compositionally very different from each other. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the chemical complexity of psilocybin mushrooms and lay groundwork for future research into their potential applications in medicine and psychology.