Biotransformation of tryptamine derivatives in mycelial cultures of Psilocybe

✍ Scribed by Dr. Jochen Gartz

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1989
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 348 KB
• Volume: 29
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0233-111X
• DOI: 10.1002/jobm.3620290608

✦ Synopsis

Mycelial cultures of Psilocybe cubensis capable of forming psilocybin and psilocin de novo display a high capacity for hydroxylation of tryptamine derivatives at the 4-position. A specific biotransformation of added synthetic N,N-diethyl-tryptamine was found. Thus high amounts of 4-hydroxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine (up to 3.3 %) and a minor quantity of 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine (0.01 -0.8 %) were isolated from fruiting bodies of Psilocybe cubensis in corresponding experiments. This is the first example of a directed biosynthesis of tryptapine substances by fungi.

An effective biotransfomation of N-methyltryptamine was also demonstrated with surface cultures of Psilocybe sernihnceata. Baeocystin, a possible natural precursor of psilocybin, was detected and quantified in the biomasses.

No alkaloids could be found in the culture medium.