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An Aqueous-Organic Extraction Method for the Isolation and Identification of Psilocin from Hallucinogenic Mushrooms

Jf Casale

Journal of Forensic Sciences 1985 DOI: 10.1520/jfs10989j (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Method development and validation Peer reviewed
Topics Psilocybin
Keywords Extraction chemistry Aqueous solution Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry Organic chemistry
Citations 20
Key points A simple aqueous extraction method that dephosphorylates psilocybin to psilocin yields concentrated, contaminant-free psilocin suitable for identification by infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Abstract

Abstract A simple aqueous extraction method for the isolation and identification of psilocin from Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms is reported. This method employs a dephosphorylation of the phosphate ester to psilocin, which facilitates a greater product yield and simplifies identification. Psilocin extracted by this method is sufficiently concentrated and free of cocontaminants to allow identification by infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.