Colorimetric Spot Test Analysis of Salvia divinorum Utilizing Ehrlichs Reagent Rhiannon R. Carter, M.S., Keri LaBelle, M.S.

, Liz Tozier, M.S., Brian Cawrse, M.S., Adam B. Hall, Ph.D., Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St. R806, Boston, MA 02118
Salvia divinorum is an herb from the mint family, Lamiaceae. The Salvia genus contains a variety of herbs that are commonly known as sage. S. divinorum originates from Oaxaca, Mexico and is known to play a role in spiritual ceremonies of the Mazatecs due to the herbs psychoactive properties. Given its hallucinogenic properties and ease of access via the Internet, this herb has a high potential for abuse. The legal status is not currently well defined, as the regulation of S. divinorum is handled on a state-by-state basis in the USA. Although no deaths have currently been reported due to S. divinorum abuse, concerns are still widespread due to its psychiatric effects and lack of toxicology and use profile. The active component in S. divinorum is salvinorin A, a non-nitrogenous diterpene that is a highly selective kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist, reported to be the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen. Salvinorin A is consistent with other KOR agonists, which produce effects such as sedation, analgesia, inhibition of GI effects, aversion, and depression. Characterization and analytical detection methods have been described for salvinorin A to include UV/Vis, HPLC, LC/MS, GC/MS, TLC, FTIR, XRay crystallography, and NMR. However these techniques require extraction of the active component from the leaves of S. divinorum and frequently require analysis on complex instrumentation. The development of a quick, presumptive field test for the analysis of S. divinorium, salvinorin A, and other salvinorin derivatives will allow for discrimination from unrelated plant and drug paraphernalia. Our current research has shown that Salvia divinorum produces a unique color result upon reaction with Ehrlichs reagent (p-dimethylaminobenzaldehye). This colorimetric spot test is sensitive to 50 g of salvinorin A standard, and as little as 1 mg of plant material can be used for a colored result. The colorimetric assay is presented along with the data supporting the mechanism of the formation of the colored species in solution. The mechanism is proposed to proceed via electrophilic aromatic substitution at the furan ring of salvinorin A.