Abstract
Recently, consumption of the gyromitrin-containing neurotoxic mushroom Gyromitra sp. (false morel), as gourmet food was hypothesized to play a role in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genesis. The present review analyses recent data on edibility and toxicity of false and true morels and Agaricus spp. Controversy about the toxic status of Gyromitra esculenta was due to variable toxin susceptibility within consumers. We suggest that Verpa bohemica, another false morel, is also inedible. We found a temporary neurological syndrome (NS) with cerebellar signs associated with high consumption of fresh or dried true morels Morchella sp. After ingestion of crude or poorly cooked fresh or dried morels, a gastrointestinal “haemolytic” syndrome was also observed. Agaritine, a water soluble hydrazinic toxin closely related to gyromitrin is present along with metabolites including diazonium ions and free radicals, in Agaricus spp. and A. bisporus, the button mushroom, and in mice after ingestion. It is a potential weak carcinogen in mice, but although no data are available for humans, a lifetime low cumulative extra cancer risk in humans can be estimated to be about 10−5. To conclude, a safety measure is to avoid consuming any true morels or button mushrooms when crude or poorly cooked, fresh or dried.
Highlights
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of macroscopic filamentous fungi that grow generally above the ground
Agaritine and agaritine-COOH, which can produce different free hydrazines, to radicals. This metabolic trait is reminiscent of gyromitrin, the previous hydrazinicleading toxin studied the formation of diazonium ions and free radicals
This metabolic trait is reminiscent of gyromitrin, above, which generates instable diazonium ions, leading to free radicals and DNA disorders the previous (Figure 3)hydrazinic toxin studied above, which generates instable diazonium ions, leading to free radicals and DNA disorders (Figure 3)
Summary
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of macroscopic filamentous fungi that grow generally above the ground. They are members of the kingdom of Fungi, which is constituted of a core of clades collectively deemed “True fungi” or Eumycota [1,2]. Toxins 2020, 12, 482 update reported 9 major phylum-level clades for true fungi [3]. Some species with fruiting bodies, such as morels, Helvella and truffles, along with filamentous fungi producing mycotoxins [4], belongs to Ascomycota phylum. All the other macroscopic mushroom species belong to the Basidiomycota phylum. Even if some species have an edible status, low concentration of toxins can be present, and either chronic ingestion or over-consumption can impact the edibility status of such mushroom species. Macroscopic mushrooms are divided into true edible, conditionally edible or poisonous categories [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
