Content of Psilocybin and Psilocin in some Species of Macromycetes

Overview

Psilocin and psilocybin are psychoactive components of mushrooms of the genus Psilocybe andmany others (Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus etc.). In our republic, several species of Psilocybe witha high content of these components can be found. In the present study, we give a semiquantitativecontent of psilocin and psilocybin in some of our mushrooms in dry substance (Psilocybe semilanceata,Psilocybe bohemica, Psilocybe arcana, Psilocybe cyanescens, Panaeolus acuminatus sensuRicken, Inocybe haemacta and Pluteus salicinus). For quantification, the GC/MS instrumentationwas applied. Psilocin and psilocybin were silylated by the derivatization agent N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide.As an internal standard, 5-methoxytryptamin was used. The results ofthis study prove the presence of at least three species of Psilocybe with a high content of psychoactivecomponents growing in our republic: Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe bohemica and Psilocybearcana.

Key words:
Hallucinogenic mushrooms – Psilocybe – Psilocin – Psilocybin – GC/MS analyses