Ink-cap mushroom

When the ink-cap mushroom Coprinus atramentarius is eaten alone it is not toxic. However, if it is eaten with alcohol it induces an over-sensitivity that is similar to that of the drug disulphiram (antabuse). The fresh mushroom contains about 160 mg kg of the active component, coprine (9.34). This was shown to be A -(l-hydroxycyclopropyl)-L-glutamine, which contains the unusual Wacyl-l-aminocyclopropanol unit. It is metabolized to L-glutamic acid and cyclopropanone. The hydrate of cyclopropanone is a good inhibitor of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. This induces elevated levels of acetaldehyde in the blood and retards the rate of ethanol metabolism. 

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