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Veniero Gambaro - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dna based taxonomic identification of basidiospores in hallucinogenic mushrooms cultivated in grow kits seized by the police lc uv quali quantitative determination of psilocybin and psilocin
    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2016
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Lucia Dellacqua, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Fiorenza Fare, Eleonora Paladino, Stefania Arioli
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of the biological Material contained in the hallucinogenic mushrooms culture media, was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are present as basidiospores mixed in culture media and spore-bearing fruiting body are not present. This approach is very useful as it allows the unequivocal identification of potentially illicit Material before the cultivation and it enables to stop the Material to the Customs and to destroy it due to its dangerousness without cultivating the "grow-kits" and without instructing a criminal case. In fact, even if psilocin and psilocybin and the whole mushrooms are illegal in many countries, there is no specific indication in the law about the so called "grow-kits", containing the spores. To confirm the data obtained by the taxonomic identification, a simple, reliable, efficient LC-UV method, using tryptamine as internal standard, suitable for the forensic quali-quantitative determination of psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushroom was optimized, validated and applied to the mushrooms grown after the cultivation of the grow-kits seized by the judicial authority, with the authorization of the Ministry of Health. A cation exchange column was used in a gradient elution mode (Phase A: 50mMK2HPO4; 100mM NaCl pH=3 Phase B: methanol). The developed method was linear over the calibration range with a R(2)>0.9992 for both the analytes. The detection and quantification limits were respectively 0.01 and 0.1μg/mL for psilocybin and 0.05μg/mL and 0.1μg/mL for psilocin and the intra- and inter-day precision was satisfactory (coefficients of variation <2.0% for both the analytes). The content of psilocybin in the mushrooms grown from the seized "grow-kits" ranged from 1.02 to 7.60mg/g of dry Vegetable Material, while the content of psilocin from 0.415 to 8.36mg/g.

  • Taxonomic Identification of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Seized on the Illegal Market Using a DNA-Based Approach and LC/MS-MS Determination of Psilocybin and Psilocin
    'OMICS Publishing Group', 2015
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Caterina Ceravolo, L. Dell&#8217, F. Far&#232, Lucia Tamborini
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of mushrooms suspected to contain hallucinogenic active principles was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are difficult to identify because the morphologic identification is prevented, due to the bad conservation of the Vegetable Material. To confirm the presence of the illegal active principles, the optimization of a LC/MS-MS method for the qualitativequantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in mushroom samples seized by the judicial authority is described. For the quantitative determination it was necessary to identify and synthesize a proper internal standard (IS, i.e., 5-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine), endowed with chromatographic features suitable for the analysis of the active principles. LC/MS-MS analysis evidenced that the amount of psilocybin ranged from 0.5 to 1.4% while that of psilocin from 1.3 to 2.5% (w/w), confirming literature data. The concentration of psilocin was higher in the cap and in the distal part of the stem (near to the soil) than in the part of the stem proximal to the cap. On the other hand the concentration of psilocybin was higher in the cap and in the proximal part, being lower in the distal part of the stem

  • improved gc method for the determination of the active principles of catha edulis
    Journal of Chromatography B, 2013
    Co-Authors: Lucia Dellacqua, Lorenzo Turati, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract The GC method previously reported by our research group for the analysis of the active principles of Catha edulis, i.e. cathine, cathinone and phenylpropanolamine, was considerably improved. N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) as derivatizing agent was employed, thus allowing an accurate determination of the analytes and a suitable internal standard for quantitative analyses (nicotinamide) was introduced. Moreover the chromatographic conditions were carefully studied to improve the separation of the alkaloids and sensitivity. To this end different chromatographic capillary columns and temperature gradients were investigated. The optimized GC method was validated and resulted adequate for the application in forensic analysis. Finally on behalf of the Tribunal, C. edulis Vegetable Material seized by the police in northern Italy was analyzed, the quantity of cathine ranging from 0.095 to 0.29%, the quantity of PPA from 0.010 to 0.21% and the quantity of cathinone from 0.025 to 0.374% of the weight of the Vegetable Material.

  • capillary electrophoretic and extraction conditions for the analysis of catha edulis forks active principles
    Forensic Science International, 2013
    Co-Authors: Gabriella Roda, Vincenzo Liberti, Antonella Argo, Sonia Suardi, Chiara Rusconi, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract A capillary electrophoretic method, which allowed the detection and separation of the active principles of Catha edulis , i.e. cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine, was developed. A suitable internal standard (nicotinamide), which permitted the quantification of the analytes reducing the variability of the migration times due to EOF changes, was identified. The analytical method was validated, assessing linearity, sensitivity and repeatability, showing optimal features for the analysis of the Vegetable Material. Moreover extraction conditions were investigated to achieve the exhaustion of the plant Material in the fastest and most efficient way to meet the requirements of the Court.

  • determination of the active principles of catha edulis quali quantitative analysis of cathinone cathine and phenylpropanolamine
    Forensic Science International, 2012
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Lucia Dellacqua, Sebastiano Arnoldi, K. Guerrini, Maria Laura Colombo, Gabriella Roda
    Abstract:

    In the last years, all the Vegetable Material supposed to belong to the Catha Edulis species, seized at the Malpensa and Orio al Serio airports, were analyzed in our laboratory on behalf of the Tribunals of Busto Arsizio and Bergamo, respectively. After a preliminary botanic examination, the quali–quantitative determination of the active principles cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was carried out by means of GC/MS and GC/FID techniques, which meet the requirements of the forensic analyses. We developed a fast, effective and reliable derivatization procedure which allowed to simultaneously detect cathine and PPA, whose discrimination is mandatory since PPA is not a psychoactive agent. Cathine was distributed in the various parts of the plant (leaves and stems) and its quantity ranged from 0.03% to 0.17% of the weight of the Vegetable Material; PPA was not detected in the twigs and its quantity in the leaves ranged from 0.07% to 0.16%. The quantitative determination of cathinone was carried out directly on the methanol solution after maceration of the Vegetable Material, its quantity ranging from 0.02% to 0.10%. No significant difference in the content of the two active principles was found between the fresh and the dried Material.

Gabriella Roda - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dna based taxonomic identification of basidiospores in hallucinogenic mushrooms cultivated in grow kits seized by the police lc uv quali quantitative determination of psilocybin and psilocin
    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2016
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Lucia Dellacqua, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Fiorenza Fare, Eleonora Paladino, Stefania Arioli
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of the biological Material contained in the hallucinogenic mushrooms culture media, was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are present as basidiospores mixed in culture media and spore-bearing fruiting body are not present. This approach is very useful as it allows the unequivocal identification of potentially illicit Material before the cultivation and it enables to stop the Material to the Customs and to destroy it due to its dangerousness without cultivating the "grow-kits" and without instructing a criminal case. In fact, even if psilocin and psilocybin and the whole mushrooms are illegal in many countries, there is no specific indication in the law about the so called "grow-kits", containing the spores. To confirm the data obtained by the taxonomic identification, a simple, reliable, efficient LC-UV method, using tryptamine as internal standard, suitable for the forensic quali-quantitative determination of psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushroom was optimized, validated and applied to the mushrooms grown after the cultivation of the grow-kits seized by the judicial authority, with the authorization of the Ministry of Health. A cation exchange column was used in a gradient elution mode (Phase A: 50mMK2HPO4; 100mM NaCl pH=3 Phase B: methanol). The developed method was linear over the calibration range with a R(2)>0.9992 for both the analytes. The detection and quantification limits were respectively 0.01 and 0.1μg/mL for psilocybin and 0.05μg/mL and 0.1μg/mL for psilocin and the intra- and inter-day precision was satisfactory (coefficients of variation <2.0% for both the analytes). The content of psilocybin in the mushrooms grown from the seized "grow-kits" ranged from 1.02 to 7.60mg/g of dry Vegetable Material, while the content of psilocin from 0.415 to 8.36mg/g.

  • Taxonomic Identification of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Seized on the Illegal Market Using a DNA-Based Approach and LC/MS-MS Determination of Psilocybin and Psilocin
    'OMICS Publishing Group', 2015
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Caterina Ceravolo, L. Dell&#8217, F. Far&#232, Lucia Tamborini
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of mushrooms suspected to contain hallucinogenic active principles was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are difficult to identify because the morphologic identification is prevented, due to the bad conservation of the Vegetable Material. To confirm the presence of the illegal active principles, the optimization of a LC/MS-MS method for the qualitativequantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in mushroom samples seized by the judicial authority is described. For the quantitative determination it was necessary to identify and synthesize a proper internal standard (IS, i.e., 5-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine), endowed with chromatographic features suitable for the analysis of the active principles. LC/MS-MS analysis evidenced that the amount of psilocybin ranged from 0.5 to 1.4% while that of psilocin from 1.3 to 2.5% (w/w), confirming literature data. The concentration of psilocin was higher in the cap and in the distal part of the stem (near to the soil) than in the part of the stem proximal to the cap. On the other hand the concentration of psilocybin was higher in the cap and in the proximal part, being lower in the distal part of the stem

  • improved gc method for the determination of the active principles of catha edulis
    Journal of Chromatography B, 2013
    Co-Authors: Lucia Dellacqua, Lorenzo Turati, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract The GC method previously reported by our research group for the analysis of the active principles of Catha edulis, i.e. cathine, cathinone and phenylpropanolamine, was considerably improved. N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) as derivatizing agent was employed, thus allowing an accurate determination of the analytes and a suitable internal standard for quantitative analyses (nicotinamide) was introduced. Moreover the chromatographic conditions were carefully studied to improve the separation of the alkaloids and sensitivity. To this end different chromatographic capillary columns and temperature gradients were investigated. The optimized GC method was validated and resulted adequate for the application in forensic analysis. Finally on behalf of the Tribunal, C. edulis Vegetable Material seized by the police in northern Italy was analyzed, the quantity of cathine ranging from 0.095 to 0.29%, the quantity of PPA from 0.010 to 0.21% and the quantity of cathinone from 0.025 to 0.374% of the weight of the Vegetable Material.

  • capillary electrophoretic and extraction conditions for the analysis of catha edulis forks active principles
    Forensic Science International, 2013
    Co-Authors: Gabriella Roda, Vincenzo Liberti, Antonella Argo, Sonia Suardi, Chiara Rusconi, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract A capillary electrophoretic method, which allowed the detection and separation of the active principles of Catha edulis , i.e. cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine, was developed. A suitable internal standard (nicotinamide), which permitted the quantification of the analytes reducing the variability of the migration times due to EOF changes, was identified. The analytical method was validated, assessing linearity, sensitivity and repeatability, showing optimal features for the analysis of the Vegetable Material. Moreover extraction conditions were investigated to achieve the exhaustion of the plant Material in the fastest and most efficient way to meet the requirements of the Court.

  • determination of the active principles of catha edulis quali quantitative analysis of cathinone cathine and phenylpropanolamine
    Forensic Science International, 2012
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Lucia Dellacqua, Sebastiano Arnoldi, K. Guerrini, Maria Laura Colombo, Gabriella Roda
    Abstract:

    In the last years, all the Vegetable Material supposed to belong to the Catha Edulis species, seized at the Malpensa and Orio al Serio airports, were analyzed in our laboratory on behalf of the Tribunals of Busto Arsizio and Bergamo, respectively. After a preliminary botanic examination, the quali–quantitative determination of the active principles cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was carried out by means of GC/MS and GC/FID techniques, which meet the requirements of the forensic analyses. We developed a fast, effective and reliable derivatization procedure which allowed to simultaneously detect cathine and PPA, whose discrimination is mandatory since PPA is not a psychoactive agent. Cathine was distributed in the various parts of the plant (leaves and stems) and its quantity ranged from 0.03% to 0.17% of the weight of the Vegetable Material; PPA was not detected in the twigs and its quantity in the leaves ranged from 0.07% to 0.16%. The quantitative determination of cathinone was carried out directly on the methanol solution after maceration of the Vegetable Material, its quantity ranging from 0.02% to 0.10%. No significant difference in the content of the two active principles was found between the fresh and the dried Material.

Sebastiano Arnoldi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dna based taxonomic identification of basidiospores in hallucinogenic mushrooms cultivated in grow kits seized by the police lc uv quali quantitative determination of psilocybin and psilocin
    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2016
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Lucia Dellacqua, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Fiorenza Fare, Eleonora Paladino, Stefania Arioli
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of the biological Material contained in the hallucinogenic mushrooms culture media, was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are present as basidiospores mixed in culture media and spore-bearing fruiting body are not present. This approach is very useful as it allows the unequivocal identification of potentially illicit Material before the cultivation and it enables to stop the Material to the Customs and to destroy it due to its dangerousness without cultivating the "grow-kits" and without instructing a criminal case. In fact, even if psilocin and psilocybin and the whole mushrooms are illegal in many countries, there is no specific indication in the law about the so called "grow-kits", containing the spores. To confirm the data obtained by the taxonomic identification, a simple, reliable, efficient LC-UV method, using tryptamine as internal standard, suitable for the forensic quali-quantitative determination of psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushroom was optimized, validated and applied to the mushrooms grown after the cultivation of the grow-kits seized by the judicial authority, with the authorization of the Ministry of Health. A cation exchange column was used in a gradient elution mode (Phase A: 50mMK2HPO4; 100mM NaCl pH=3 Phase B: methanol). The developed method was linear over the calibration range with a R(2)>0.9992 for both the analytes. The detection and quantification limits were respectively 0.01 and 0.1μg/mL for psilocybin and 0.05μg/mL and 0.1μg/mL for psilocin and the intra- and inter-day precision was satisfactory (coefficients of variation <2.0% for both the analytes). The content of psilocybin in the mushrooms grown from the seized "grow-kits" ranged from 1.02 to 7.60mg/g of dry Vegetable Material, while the content of psilocin from 0.415 to 8.36mg/g.

  • Taxonomic Identification of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Seized on the Illegal Market Using a DNA-Based Approach and LC/MS-MS Determination of Psilocybin and Psilocin
    'OMICS Publishing Group', 2015
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Caterina Ceravolo, L. Dell&#8217, F. Far&#232, Lucia Tamborini
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of mushrooms suspected to contain hallucinogenic active principles was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are difficult to identify because the morphologic identification is prevented, due to the bad conservation of the Vegetable Material. To confirm the presence of the illegal active principles, the optimization of a LC/MS-MS method for the qualitativequantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in mushroom samples seized by the judicial authority is described. For the quantitative determination it was necessary to identify and synthesize a proper internal standard (IS, i.e., 5-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine), endowed with chromatographic features suitable for the analysis of the active principles. LC/MS-MS analysis evidenced that the amount of psilocybin ranged from 0.5 to 1.4% while that of psilocin from 1.3 to 2.5% (w/w), confirming literature data. The concentration of psilocin was higher in the cap and in the distal part of the stem (near to the soil) than in the part of the stem proximal to the cap. On the other hand the concentration of psilocybin was higher in the cap and in the proximal part, being lower in the distal part of the stem

  • improved gc method for the determination of the active principles of catha edulis
    Journal of Chromatography B, 2013
    Co-Authors: Lucia Dellacqua, Lorenzo Turati, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract The GC method previously reported by our research group for the analysis of the active principles of Catha edulis, i.e. cathine, cathinone and phenylpropanolamine, was considerably improved. N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) as derivatizing agent was employed, thus allowing an accurate determination of the analytes and a suitable internal standard for quantitative analyses (nicotinamide) was introduced. Moreover the chromatographic conditions were carefully studied to improve the separation of the alkaloids and sensitivity. To this end different chromatographic capillary columns and temperature gradients were investigated. The optimized GC method was validated and resulted adequate for the application in forensic analysis. Finally on behalf of the Tribunal, C. edulis Vegetable Material seized by the police in northern Italy was analyzed, the quantity of cathine ranging from 0.095 to 0.29%, the quantity of PPA from 0.010 to 0.21% and the quantity of cathinone from 0.025 to 0.374% of the weight of the Vegetable Material.

  • capillary electrophoretic and extraction conditions for the analysis of catha edulis forks active principles
    Forensic Science International, 2013
    Co-Authors: Gabriella Roda, Vincenzo Liberti, Antonella Argo, Sonia Suardi, Chiara Rusconi, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract A capillary electrophoretic method, which allowed the detection and separation of the active principles of Catha edulis , i.e. cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine, was developed. A suitable internal standard (nicotinamide), which permitted the quantification of the analytes reducing the variability of the migration times due to EOF changes, was identified. The analytical method was validated, assessing linearity, sensitivity and repeatability, showing optimal features for the analysis of the Vegetable Material. Moreover extraction conditions were investigated to achieve the exhaustion of the plant Material in the fastest and most efficient way to meet the requirements of the Court.

  • determination of the active principles of catha edulis quali quantitative analysis of cathinone cathine and phenylpropanolamine
    Forensic Science International, 2012
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Lucia Dellacqua, Sebastiano Arnoldi, K. Guerrini, Maria Laura Colombo, Gabriella Roda
    Abstract:

    In the last years, all the Vegetable Material supposed to belong to the Catha Edulis species, seized at the Malpensa and Orio al Serio airports, were analyzed in our laboratory on behalf of the Tribunals of Busto Arsizio and Bergamo, respectively. After a preliminary botanic examination, the quali–quantitative determination of the active principles cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was carried out by means of GC/MS and GC/FID techniques, which meet the requirements of the forensic analyses. We developed a fast, effective and reliable derivatization procedure which allowed to simultaneously detect cathine and PPA, whose discrimination is mandatory since PPA is not a psychoactive agent. Cathine was distributed in the various parts of the plant (leaves and stems) and its quantity ranged from 0.03% to 0.17% of the weight of the Vegetable Material; PPA was not detected in the twigs and its quantity in the leaves ranged from 0.07% to 0.16%. The quantitative determination of cathinone was carried out directly on the methanol solution after maceration of the Vegetable Material, its quantity ranging from 0.02% to 0.10%. No significant difference in the content of the two active principles was found between the fresh and the dried Material.

Lucia Dellacqua - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dna based taxonomic identification of basidiospores in hallucinogenic mushrooms cultivated in grow kits seized by the police lc uv quali quantitative determination of psilocybin and psilocin
    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2016
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Lucia Dellacqua, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Fiorenza Fare, Eleonora Paladino, Stefania Arioli
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of the biological Material contained in the hallucinogenic mushrooms culture media, was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are present as basidiospores mixed in culture media and spore-bearing fruiting body are not present. This approach is very useful as it allows the unequivocal identification of potentially illicit Material before the cultivation and it enables to stop the Material to the Customs and to destroy it due to its dangerousness without cultivating the "grow-kits" and without instructing a criminal case. In fact, even if psilocin and psilocybin and the whole mushrooms are illegal in many countries, there is no specific indication in the law about the so called "grow-kits", containing the spores. To confirm the data obtained by the taxonomic identification, a simple, reliable, efficient LC-UV method, using tryptamine as internal standard, suitable for the forensic quali-quantitative determination of psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushroom was optimized, validated and applied to the mushrooms grown after the cultivation of the grow-kits seized by the judicial authority, with the authorization of the Ministry of Health. A cation exchange column was used in a gradient elution mode (Phase A: 50mMK2HPO4; 100mM NaCl pH=3 Phase B: methanol). The developed method was linear over the calibration range with a R(2)>0.9992 for both the analytes. The detection and quantification limits were respectively 0.01 and 0.1μg/mL for psilocybin and 0.05μg/mL and 0.1μg/mL for psilocin and the intra- and inter-day precision was satisfactory (coefficients of variation <2.0% for both the analytes). The content of psilocybin in the mushrooms grown from the seized "grow-kits" ranged from 1.02 to 7.60mg/g of dry Vegetable Material, while the content of psilocin from 0.415 to 8.36mg/g.

  • improved gc method for the determination of the active principles of catha edulis
    Journal of Chromatography B, 2013
    Co-Authors: Lucia Dellacqua, Lorenzo Turati, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract The GC method previously reported by our research group for the analysis of the active principles of Catha edulis, i.e. cathine, cathinone and phenylpropanolamine, was considerably improved. N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) as derivatizing agent was employed, thus allowing an accurate determination of the analytes and a suitable internal standard for quantitative analyses (nicotinamide) was introduced. Moreover the chromatographic conditions were carefully studied to improve the separation of the alkaloids and sensitivity. To this end different chromatographic capillary columns and temperature gradients were investigated. The optimized GC method was validated and resulted adequate for the application in forensic analysis. Finally on behalf of the Tribunal, C. edulis Vegetable Material seized by the police in northern Italy was analyzed, the quantity of cathine ranging from 0.095 to 0.29%, the quantity of PPA from 0.010 to 0.21% and the quantity of cathinone from 0.025 to 0.374% of the weight of the Vegetable Material.

  • determination of the active principles of catha edulis quali quantitative analysis of cathinone cathine and phenylpropanolamine
    Forensic Science International, 2012
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Lucia Dellacqua, Sebastiano Arnoldi, K. Guerrini, Maria Laura Colombo, Gabriella Roda
    Abstract:

    In the last years, all the Vegetable Material supposed to belong to the Catha Edulis species, seized at the Malpensa and Orio al Serio airports, were analyzed in our laboratory on behalf of the Tribunals of Busto Arsizio and Bergamo, respectively. After a preliminary botanic examination, the quali–quantitative determination of the active principles cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was carried out by means of GC/MS and GC/FID techniques, which meet the requirements of the forensic analyses. We developed a fast, effective and reliable derivatization procedure which allowed to simultaneously detect cathine and PPA, whose discrimination is mandatory since PPA is not a psychoactive agent. Cathine was distributed in the various parts of the plant (leaves and stems) and its quantity ranged from 0.03% to 0.17% of the weight of the Vegetable Material; PPA was not detected in the twigs and its quantity in the leaves ranged from 0.07% to 0.16%. The quantitative determination of cathinone was carried out directly on the methanol solution after maceration of the Vegetable Material, its quantity ranging from 0.02% to 0.10%. No significant difference in the content of the two active principles was found between the fresh and the dried Material.

Chiara Rusconi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dna based taxonomic identification of basidiospores in hallucinogenic mushrooms cultivated in grow kits seized by the police lc uv quali quantitative determination of psilocybin and psilocin
    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2016
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Lucia Dellacqua, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Fiorenza Fare, Eleonora Paladino, Stefania Arioli
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of the biological Material contained in the hallucinogenic mushrooms culture media, was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are present as basidiospores mixed in culture media and spore-bearing fruiting body are not present. This approach is very useful as it allows the unequivocal identification of potentially illicit Material before the cultivation and it enables to stop the Material to the Customs and to destroy it due to its dangerousness without cultivating the "grow-kits" and without instructing a criminal case. In fact, even if psilocin and psilocybin and the whole mushrooms are illegal in many countries, there is no specific indication in the law about the so called "grow-kits", containing the spores. To confirm the data obtained by the taxonomic identification, a simple, reliable, efficient LC-UV method, using tryptamine as internal standard, suitable for the forensic quali-quantitative determination of psilocin and psilocybin in hallucinogenic mushroom was optimized, validated and applied to the mushrooms grown after the cultivation of the grow-kits seized by the judicial authority, with the authorization of the Ministry of Health. A cation exchange column was used in a gradient elution mode (Phase A: 50mMK2HPO4; 100mM NaCl pH=3 Phase B: methanol). The developed method was linear over the calibration range with a R(2)>0.9992 for both the analytes. The detection and quantification limits were respectively 0.01 and 0.1μg/mL for psilocybin and 0.05μg/mL and 0.1μg/mL for psilocin and the intra- and inter-day precision was satisfactory (coefficients of variation <2.0% for both the analytes). The content of psilocybin in the mushrooms grown from the seized "grow-kits" ranged from 1.02 to 7.60mg/g of dry Vegetable Material, while the content of psilocin from 0.415 to 8.36mg/g.

  • Taxonomic Identification of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Seized on the Illegal Market Using a DNA-Based Approach and LC/MS-MS Determination of Psilocybin and Psilocin
    'OMICS Publishing Group', 2015
    Co-Authors: Veniero Gambaro, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Giacomo Luca Visconti, Eleonora Casagni, Caterina Ceravolo, L. Dell&#8217, F. Far&#232, Lucia Tamborini
    Abstract:

    The taxonomic identification of mushrooms suspected to contain hallucinogenic active principles was carried out using a DNA-based approach, thus highlighting the usefulness of this approach in the forensic identification of illegal samples also when they are difficult to identify because the morphologic identification is prevented, due to the bad conservation of the Vegetable Material. To confirm the presence of the illegal active principles, the optimization of a LC/MS-MS method for the qualitativequantitative analysis of psilocin and psilocybin in mushroom samples seized by the judicial authority is described. For the quantitative determination it was necessary to identify and synthesize a proper internal standard (IS, i.e., 5-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine), endowed with chromatographic features suitable for the analysis of the active principles. LC/MS-MS analysis evidenced that the amount of psilocybin ranged from 0.5 to 1.4% while that of psilocin from 1.3 to 2.5% (w/w), confirming literature data. The concentration of psilocin was higher in the cap and in the distal part of the stem (near to the soil) than in the part of the stem proximal to the cap. On the other hand the concentration of psilocybin was higher in the cap and in the proximal part, being lower in the distal part of the stem

  • improved gc method for the determination of the active principles of catha edulis
    Journal of Chromatography B, 2013
    Co-Authors: Lucia Dellacqua, Lorenzo Turati, Chiara Rusconi, Gabriella Roda, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract The GC method previously reported by our research group for the analysis of the active principles of Catha edulis, i.e. cathine, cathinone and phenylpropanolamine, was considerably improved. N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) as derivatizing agent was employed, thus allowing an accurate determination of the analytes and a suitable internal standard for quantitative analyses (nicotinamide) was introduced. Moreover the chromatographic conditions were carefully studied to improve the separation of the alkaloids and sensitivity. To this end different chromatographic capillary columns and temperature gradients were investigated. The optimized GC method was validated and resulted adequate for the application in forensic analysis. Finally on behalf of the Tribunal, C. edulis Vegetable Material seized by the police in northern Italy was analyzed, the quantity of cathine ranging from 0.095 to 0.29%, the quantity of PPA from 0.010 to 0.21% and the quantity of cathinone from 0.025 to 0.374% of the weight of the Vegetable Material.

  • capillary electrophoretic and extraction conditions for the analysis of catha edulis forks active principles
    Forensic Science International, 2013
    Co-Authors: Gabriella Roda, Vincenzo Liberti, Antonella Argo, Sonia Suardi, Chiara Rusconi, Sebastiano Arnoldi, Veniero Gambaro
    Abstract:

    Abstract A capillary electrophoretic method, which allowed the detection and separation of the active principles of Catha edulis , i.e. cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine, was developed. A suitable internal standard (nicotinamide), which permitted the quantification of the analytes reducing the variability of the migration times due to EOF changes, was identified. The analytical method was validated, assessing linearity, sensitivity and repeatability, showing optimal features for the analysis of the Vegetable Material. Moreover extraction conditions were investigated to achieve the exhaustion of the plant Material in the fastest and most efficient way to meet the requirements of the Court.