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GC ‐ MS and GC ‐ MS / MS in PCI Mode Determination of Mescaline in Peyote Tea and in Biological Matrices
Author(s) -
Gambelunghe Cristiana,
Marsili Remo,
Aroni Kyriaki,
Bacci Mauro,
Rossi Riccardo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02249.x
Subject(s) - mescaline , chromatography , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , chemistry , hair analysis , urine , gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry , mass spectrometry , hallucinogen , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
Peyote, a cactus containing the hallucinogen mescaline, is used to induce altered states of consciousness in religious ceremonies or for recreational purpose. This study reports a case of an underage boy suspected of mescaline abuse. For this purpose, we analyzed a dark green liquid sample found in the bedroom of the boy whose urine and hair samples were collected shortly after the drink was found. A method by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) in positive chemical ionization mode was developed and validated in terms of linearity, specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity for mescaline determination at the low concentrations present in hair. GC ‐ MS analysis of the liquid identified mescaline, while urine was negative; GC ‐ MS / MS segmental hair analysis identified mescaline in the proximal segment (root to 2 cm), while the distal segments were negative. Although peyote was uncommonly encountered, its use was confirmed by segmental hair analysis that can provide long‐term information about drugs use.