GLC--mass spectral analysis of fungal metabolites.

Four metabolites, hispidin, bisnoryangonin, muscimole, and ibotenic acid, from potentially psychoactive mushrooms were analyzed by GLC--mass spectrometry as their trimethylsilyl derivatives. This method was applied to the first two compounds in Gymnopilus punctifolius (Peck) Singer and to the last two compounds in Amania pantherina (Fr.) Secr.

Baeocystin in psilocybe, conocybe and panaeolus.

Sixty collections of ten species referred to three families of the Agaricales have been analyzed for the presence of baeocystin by thin-layer chromatography. Baeocystin was detected in collections of Psilocybe, Conocybe, and Panaeolus from the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, and Peru. Laboratory cultivated fruitbodies of Psilocybe cubensis, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens were also studied. Intra-species variation in the presence of decay rate of baeocystin, psilocybin and psilocin are discussed in terms of age and storage factors. In addition, evidence is presented to support the presence of 4-hydroxytryptamine in collections of P. baeocystis and P. cyanescens. The possible significance of baeocystin and 4-hydroxytryptamine in the biosynthesis of psilocybin in these organisms is discussed.

GLC-mass spectral analysis of psilocin and psilocybin.

With the combined technique of GLC-mass spectrometry, psilocin and psilocybin, two hallucinogenic indoles, were analyzed as their trimethylsilyl derivatives. The method was applied to these two components in an extract of Psilocybe cubensis (Earle) Sing.

Baeocystin in Psilocybe semilanceata.

Baeocystin and psilocybin were found in extracts of a variety of Psilocybe semilanceata. Psilocybin (but not baeocystin) was also detected in extracts of a related species. Psilocyte pelliculosa. Traces of psilocin were present in these two species. The structures of the isolated compounds were corroborated using mass spectrometry and UV spectroscopy.