Identification of quaternary alkaloids in mushroom by chromatography/secondary ion mass spectrometry

Choline and muscarine have been identified in Inocybe napipes as the intact cations by recording secondary ion mass spectra (SIMS) of (i) intact mushroom tissue and of (ii) an ethanolic extract of defatted mushroom tissue. In addition, the extract has been chromatographed on cellulose and the contents of the thin-layer spots have been investigated by SIMS both directly, by ion bombardment of the thin-layer chromatogram, and also indirectly after dissolution and transfer of the contents of individual spots to a silver substrate.