Mushroom Poisoning: Toxins and Cultivation

Many wild mushrooms are now cultivated worldwide. Common ones are the oysters, the shitake, and the Portobello, which is a full-grown version of its smaller scale, the crimini mushroom. If one is interested in growing your very own edibles, there are numerous articles and sources for successful methods. There is even a mushroom kit for morels, for those who has been searching for one with nil result, the kit can be purchased online for a minimum price to be grown on your kitchen table.

One book suggested the ease of mushroom cultivation using live pieces of oyster mushroom, implanted into an inch deep hole drilled into a hardwood, poplar, maple, or willow. Keep the log well-watered, then wait and watch for signs of growth. Unfortunately, my experiment with a poplar log is not with us any longer since our move, which causes this experiment to be incomplete. It was also shown that white toilet paper was successful as a log for oyster cultivation. Several pictures of oysters mushroom by the poundage growing out of moist paper tubes, were proof of some successful cultivation that was done on a larger scale in a mushroom cultivation factory that can be seen online.

Despite the danger and sickness brought on by "bad" mushroom, they are also sources for "a few known compounds found in penicillin, cephalosporin, griseofulvin and the anti-rejection drug cyclosporin, produced by a fungus called Tolyplocladium".

There are mild symptoms that usually happen quickly after consumption, but go away on its own without much worry. However, medical assistance is of utmost urgency when a symptom occurs later, which could indicate a more serious problem. "If the first symptoms occur from 4 to 24 hours or more after ingestion, then you are in serious trouble and should seek medical help immediately. Some of the deadliest toxins do not cause any initial alimentary symptoms, but will subsequently cause serious and permanent damage to vital organs. The effect of internal organ damage is slow to reveal itself."

Six poisonings are the result of the following evidences: cyclopeptide, monomethlhydrazine, muscarine, ibotenic acid and muscimol, psilocybin and psilocin, and coprine poisoning. There are no known antidotes for the cyclopeptide and monomethlhydrazine, which are considered the most dangerous of all the listed here. Symptoms do not occur until 6 to 10 hours after ingestion; this should be an indication of the seriousness for both. Monomethlhydrazine poisoning is labeled a carcinogen after a positive result concluded in an animal testing. Muscarine poisoning is treated with a drug called atropine, and has been found in some boletus (sponge) mushroom. Psilocybin and psilocin, and coprine poisoning on the above list are not so serious, but are widely known for recreational usage because of their hallucinogenic compound. However, though they are not fatal to adults, there has been a case of a cat that died because of accidental ingestion. Children are more reactive to the poison because of their little bodies. The last poison (coprine) is not recommended with alcohol.

For these reasons, education and careful identification are keys to successful avoidance of such misfortune. It is important that beginning hunters study mushrooms to familiarize themselves with the risks they may get into, that selection of simple easily recognized species instill confidence with time. Another recommendation may be to "take classes or attend field trips led by competent instructors," for further insight into the field. If an accident were to happen even after following the necessary precautions, some knowledge of life saving protocols would come in handy. Though some wild mushrooms are edible, be certain your collections are safe for consumption to avoid any risk of mushroom poisoning.

Sources:

Author: Smith page 13, 1996

Book: Mushroom of Northeast

Book: North America's Field Guide