Ultrasonic Psilocybin Extraction from Mushrooms
Psilocybin can be extracted from dried mushroom biomass using solvent extraction techniques. Ultrasonic extraction (sonication) significantly improves mass transfer, resulting in higher extraction yields, shorter processing times, and reduced solvent consumption compared to conventional extraction methods.
Efficient and Fast Extraction of Psilocybin with Sonication
Ultrasonic extraction of magic mushroom material works very well with ethanol or methanol as solvent. For best results, it is recommended to use dried mushroom. Before ultrasonication, the dried mushroom material should be ground to provide a large surface area for the mass transfer between the mushroom and solvent. The ultrasonic treatment breaks the cell walls of the mushroom so that the psilocybin and psilocin molecules are released into the solvent. The ultrasonic isolation method of active substances such as psilocybin is used to produce high-quality psilocybin and psilocin for use as therapeutics as well as for analytical purposes.
Key Benefits of Ultrasonic Psilocybin Extraction
- ✓ Higher extraction efficiency
- ✓ Shorter extraction times
- ✓ Lower solvent consumption
- ✓ Easy scale-up from laboratory to industrial production
- ✓ Suitable for GMP manufacturing environments
Ultrasonic extractor UP400St for the production of organic mushroom extracts.
Ultrasonic extractor UP100H for the extraction of psilocybin from magic mushrooms or of polysaccharides from medicinal mushrooms (e.g., chaga).
Working Principle of Ultrasonic Mushroom Extraction
Ultrasound is known as the most simple and most versatile method for cell disruption and the production of extracts. High-power ultrasound waves are successfully used in the food, pharma and nutraceutical industry to isolate targeted compounds from plant and animal tissues. Typical applications include the extraction of flavour ingredients from foods (e.g. tomato, herbs, coffee, fruits, shellfish etc.) as well as the isolation of pharmaceutically and nutraceutically active substances (e.g. CBD from cannabis, high molecular weight polysaccharides from medicinal mushrooms, vitamins from vegetables etc.). One main advantage of ultrasound-assisted cell lysis and isolation the outstanding effectiveness of the extraction procedure, resulting in very high yields and fast extraction rates. Another advantages, which comes in play with food and medical substances, is that sonication is an non-thermal process. This means active compounds are not treated at high temperatures so that thermal degradation of the extracts is avoided – protecting the bioactivity of the extract.
Ultrasonic Extraction Equipment
Hielscher Ultrasonics supplies ultrasonic devices for the cell disruption and extraction on lab and industrial scale. For the extraction of lab samples and smaller batches up to 4L (or up to 50L/hr with flow cell), an ultrasonic lab homogenizer such as the UP200St (200W) or UP400St (400W) is powerful and efficient enough to fulfil the treatment.
Besides extraction, the same ultrasonic device can be used for the preparation of emulsions or tinctures, e.g. to improve bioavailability and digestibility.
Ultrasonic psilocybin extraction from magic mushrooms: higher yields, full spectrum
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Literature / References
- Mason, N.L; Mischler, E.; Uthaug, M.V.; Kuypers, K.P.C. (2019) Sub-Acute Effects of Psilocybin on Empathy, Creative Thinking, and Subjective Well-Being. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2019.
- Pedersen-Bjergaard, S.; Sannes, E.; Rasmussen, K.E.; Tønnesen, F. (1997): Determination of psilocybin in Psilocybe semilanceata by capillary zone electrophoresis. Journal of Chromatography B, 694; 1997. 375–381.
- Stamets, P. (1996): Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World. 1996
Facts Worth Knowing
What is psilocybin extraction?
Psilocybin extraction is the process of isolating psilocybin and related tryptamine compounds from mushroom biomass using suitable solvents and extraction technologies to obtain a concentrated extract.
How does ultrasonic extraction improve psilocybin yield?
Ultrasonic extraction enhances mass transfer and disrupts cellular structures through acoustic cavitation, allowing solvents to access intracellular compounds more effectively and increasing extraction efficiency.
Which solvents are used for psilocybin extraction?
Psilocybin is commonly extracted using polar solvents such as water, ethanol, methanol, or hydroalcoholic mixtures, often acidified to improve compound stability and recovery.
Does ultrasound degrade psilocybin?
When appropriate sonication parameters are used, ultrasound does not significantly degrade psilocybin. Controlled processing conditions minimize thermal and oxidative stress while improving extraction efficiency.
What ultrasonic equipment is used for psilocybin extraction?
Psilocybin extraction is typically performed using probe-type sonicators, which provide high-intensity ultrasound and precise control of process parameters for laboratory, pilot, and industrial-scale applications.
Can ultrasonic extraction be scaled to industrial production?
With probe-type sonicators, ultrasonic extraction is fully scalable from laboratory to commercial production because extraction results can be reproduced across different sonicator sizes using consistent process parameters.
How long does psilocybin extraction take?
Ultrasonic extraction typically requires only a few minutes, depending on biomass characteristics, solvent composition, temperature, and extraction objectives.
What extraction yield can be achieved?
Extraction yield depends on mushroom species, cultivation conditions, solvent system, and process parameters. Ultrasonic extraction generally achieves higher recovery rates and faster extraction kinetics than conventional extraction methods.
What are magic mushrooms?
Mushrooms, which contain psychoactive / psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin, are known as psychedelic mushrooms, magic mushrooms, shrooms, magic truffles, and mush. More than 180 species of mushrooms containing psilocybin or its derivative psilocin are known.
Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in many countries, e.g. USA, Canada, Europe, India. In the USA, they are classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, though recently, the FDA and DEA have allowed some small, highly controlled human studies on their potential for use in medical and psychiatric drug administration. The effects of psilocybin and other psychedelics have been researched for their effects and potential treatment of disorders such as cluster headaches, mood disorders, and addiction.
What are the main species of magic mushrooms?
Psilocybe cubensis is one of the most popular magic mushrooms offering a medium psilocybin concentration of approx. 0.63% psilocybin and 0.60% psilocin in dried wild mushrooms. Indoor cultivated mushrooms mostly have higher concentrations of their active compounds.
| Psilocibe Species | % PSILOCYBIN | % PSILOCIN | % BAEOCYSTIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| P. azurenscens | 1.78 | 0.38 | 0.35 |
| P. bohemica | 1.34 | 0.11 | 0.02 |
| P. semilanceata | 0.98 | 0.02 | 0.36 |
| P. baeocystis | 0.85 | 0.59 | 0.10 |
| P. cyanescens | 0.85 | 0.36 | 0.03 |
| P. tampanensis | 0.68 | 0.32 | n.a. |
| P. cubensis | 0.63 | 0.60 | 0.025 |
| P. weilii | 0.61 | 0.27 | 0.05 |
| P. hoogshagenii | 0.60 | 0.10 | n.a. |
| P. stuntzii | 0.36 | 0.12 | 0.02 |
| P. cyanofibrillosa | 0.21 | 0.04 | n.a. |
| P. liniformans | 0.16 | n.a. | 0.005 |