Chapter 5 – Detrimental Compounds and Effects
- Professsor of Agricultural Chemistry, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Available online 19 February 2016
Abstract
Even some edible mushroom species contain injurious compounds. Potentially procarcinogenic agaritine occurs in the genus Agaricus, gyromitrin, particularly in Gyromitra esculenta.
Formaldehyde detected in shiitake mushrooms seems to be of natural
origin and is not a cause for concern. Occurrence of nicotine in some
mushrooms has not yet been elucidated. A decomposition product of
coprine from Coprinus spp. induces alcohol intolerance. Some
saprobic species can accumulate considerable levels of nitrates.
Mushrooms can contain residues of various xenobiotics. Great attention
has been focused on mushroom radioactivity. The natural radioactivity of
mushrooms is higher than that of other vegetables due to the high level
of potassium including radioactive isotope 40K. Some
ectomycorrhizal species have the ability to accumulate radiocesium after
contamination following some disasters. Information on rhabdomyolysis,
allergies, and adverse dermal and respiratory reactions in sensitive
individuals is provided.
Keywords
- Edible mushrooms;
- procarcinogens;
- coprine;
- nitrates;
- radioactivity;
- rhabdomyolysis;
- adverse dermal reactions;
- adverse respiratory reactions
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