Psilocin colour tests

This is prepared by dissolving 5 ml of 40% formaldehyde in 100 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid. The reagent is then added directly to the test substrate. A purple-olive coloration is produced with opiates, and yellow-orange with amphetamine, methylamphetamine, psilocybin and psilocin, among others. A grey-purple colour reaction is obtained with ring-substituted amphetamines. 

Obviously, prompt treatment of A. phalloides poisoning is essential but it is not always easy to find out which mushrooms have been eaten, particularly after several days. If there are any specimens left, a mycologist should be able to provide identification. If a drop of liquid is squeezed out of the mushroom onto figrdn-containing paper such as newspaper, then dried and a drop of concentrated hydrochloric acid placed on the spot, then the appearance of a blue colour (Meixner test) confirms the presence of amatoxins (or psilocin, see later). 

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