Gyromitra esculenta

The mycelia (grown from isolated ascospores) of this fungus, as well as its fruiting bodies, contain toxic substances which have been identified as N-methyl- 

JV-formylhydrazones, the main component being acetaldehyde N-methyl-N-formylhydrazone.  

The root and stem bark contain two aminophenanthrene alkaloids, the major component being methoxyatherosperiminine and the minor component its N-oxide (46).  

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Gyrometrin toxin is produced by the false morel (Gyromitra esculenta), a short-stalked mushroom with a brain-like cap of dark brown color. Fruiting bodies of this mushroom appear mostly in spring and are valued as edible, even as delicacies. While many people consume the mushroom without any troubles, others become ill, some of them severely. It has been shown that the toxin content may vary with growth conditions, such as altitude and temperature. More probably, however, the variation is caused by differences in handling or cooking as the toxic components are volatile. The toxin has been detected in cooked, frozen, and dried specimens. 

Braun R, Greeff U, and Netter KJ (1979) Liver injury by the false morel poison gyromitrin. Toxicology 12 155-163. Giusti G and Camevale A (1974) A case of fatal poisoning by Gyromitra esculenta. Archives of Toxicology 33 49-54. 

On the occurrence of N-methyl-N-formylhydrazones in fresh and processed false morel, Gyromitra esculenta, M. Pyysal and A. Niskanan, J. Agric. Food Chem., 1977, 25, 644. 

The False Morel mushroom Gyromitra esculenta) is easily confused... 

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