Lactarius deliciosus

Lactarius deliciosus and Russula cyanoxantha are well known delicious, edible mushrooms. 

Guaiane sesquiterpenes (Table 4) have been isolated so far only from Lactarius species of the Section Dapetes (Lactarius deliciosus, L. sanguifluus, etc.) which are characterized by the secretion of a strong coloured milky juice. Usually these mushrooms are edible and of pleasant taste. 

Sesquiterpenoids are widespread metabolites of the Basidiomycetes. Lactarius species (milk or ink caps) are common Basidiomycetes that are found growing in woodlands. They are characterized by a latex which is exuded when the fruiting body is cut or broken. The colour and taste of the latex is of taxonomic significance. The latex of the edible species, Lactarius deliciosus, is at first carrot-coloured. On exposure to air it then darkens and turns a green-blue colour. The colour has been associated with the formation of an azulene, lac-taroviolin (5.55), which arises by the aerial oxidation of a dihydroazulene. 

VOKAC, K., Z. Samek, V. Herout, and F. Sorm On Terpenes. CCV. The Structure of Two Native Orange Substances from Lactarius deliciosus L. Coll. Czech, Chem. Commun., 35, 745 (1970). 

Bergendorff, O., and O. Sterner The Sesquiterpenes of Lactarius deliciosus and Lactarius deterrimus. Phytochemistry, 27, 97 (1988). 

Ayer, W.A., and L. Trifonov Aromatic Compounds from Liquid Cultures of Lactarius deliciosus. J. Nat. Prod., 57, 839 (1994). 

On the Nature of Azulenogenic Compounds from Lactarius deliciosus L. 

Karrer, P., H. Ruckstuhl, and E. Zbinden Ober Lactaroviolin, einen Farbstoff aus Lactarius deliciosus. Helv. Chim. Acta 28, 1176 (1945). 

Pilzfarbstoffe VI. Uber zwei neue, lipoidlosliche Farbstoffe aus dem echten Reizker Lactarius deliciosus L.). Svensk Kem. Tidskr. 58, 81 (1946). 

Saffron milk cap Lactarius deliciosus Basidiomycetes/Agaricales ... 

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