Mushroom poisoning
Mushroom poisoning refers to symptoms that can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death resulting from ingestion of toxic substances present in a mushroom. Typically, mushroom poisoning is the resuilt of a wild mushroom gatherer mistaking the identity of a non-toxic or edible mushroom for a toxic one. The toxins present are metabolic by-products produced by the fungus. Because some edible and poisonous fungi have a similar appearance, mistakes are usually due to misidentification based on superficial charateristics. However, even very knowledgeable wild mushroom gatherers (see Mushroom hunting) are sometimes poisoned, despite being well aware of the risks of sampling different species.
No golden rule for safety
There are many folklores giving tips on definite features of poisonous mushrooms, such as:
- bright flashy colours. (Actually, some toxic ones are pure white)
- lack of insect infestation. (While a fungus may be harmless to snails, it could be toxic to humans. For example, Death Cap is often perforated by larvae.)
- becomes black when touched by silverware or onion. (Most mushrooms tend to darken as they whither)
- all smell and taste horrible. (Some poisonous mushrooms actually taste delicious, according to the victims)
- becomes safe if completely cooked. (Some toxins' chemical structure are very stable in high temperature)
In reality, there is no one straightforward rule to identify poisonous mushrooms with one guideline. The only foolproof guarantee to avoid mushroom poisoning is "better be safe than sorry". Some academic mycologists in fact do not eat mushrooms at all, despite their professional knowledge.
Symptoms
Often serious symptoms do not occur immediately after eating, until the toxin attacks the kidney minutes or hours later. Symptons felt include:
If treated promptly, death could be avoided. Otherwise, death could happen in about a week or a few days if the species is potent.
Poisonous species
Three of the most lethal musrhooms are the Amanita species of Death Cap and Destroying Angels (Amanita virosa and Amanita verna). They cause the greatest amount of fatality.
The following species may cause great discomfort, but are lethal less often.
- Panther mushroom: First sign after 8-12 hours. 80-85% of victims live on.
- Fly agaric: rare, possibly because of its unique and obvious appearance is easily avoidable
- Amanita regalis: mild
- Entomola genus, highly poisonous, such as Livid Entomola (Entomola sinuatum), Entomola rhodopolium, and Entomola nidorosum. First sign after 20 minutes to 4 hours.
- Cortinarius orellanus: First sign after 3-14 days, death may occur in 2-3 weeks
- Many Inocybes, e.g., Inocybe fastigiata, Inocybe geophylla, and Inocybe patouillardii
- Some white Clitocybe: First sign after 15-20 minutes
- Tiger Tricholoma: no lasting effect after 2-6 hours of great pain
- Sulfur Tuft: may be serious
- Omphalotus olearius: mild
- False Morel (Gyrmitra esculenta): may not affect some people at all
- Brown Roll-rim: once thought edible, but now found to be destructive of red blood cells after long-term consumption.
- Devil's Boletus (Boletus satanas): safe if well-cooked
- Purple Boletus (B. rhodoxanthus)
- Coprinus atramentarius: poisonous only if consumed with alcohol.
- Common Earthball: harmless if eaten beyond several slices.
External links
- Mushroom toxins from the Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition