Tricholoma Flavovirens Toxicology Research
Indications of hepatic and cardiac toxicity caused by subchronic Tricholoma
flavovirens consumption
P. Nieminena, V. Kärjäb, and A.-M. Mustonena
Food and Chemical Toxicology
Volume 46, Issue 2, February 2008, Pages 781-786
The confirmed finding of increased plasma CK activities and the novel observations of the present study – increased CK-MB activities, elevated plasma bilirubin concentrations and signs of pericardial inflammation – indicate that regular T. flavovirens consumption should not be recommended.
The results also enforce previous findings that the harmful effects probably require prolonged exposure and high amounts of ingested mushroom. In this context, occasional consumption of T. flavovirens would probably be harmless except in sensitive individuals, such as persons on medication, children or during pregnancy (see also Tofani, 2003).
Due to the findings of toxicity after repeated meals and controversy regarding the taxonomical position of T. flavovirens, the marketing of T. equestre (or T. flavovirens or T. auratum) was recently prohibited in Italy (Ministero della Salute, 2002), France (Ministère de la Sante et des Solidarites, 2004) and Spain (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, 2006) and, in contrast to the situation after the first findings of toxicity (Korhonen, 2002), T. flavovirens is no longer considered edible in the most
recent Finnish textbooks (Salo et al., 2006).
5. Conclusions
(1) No morbidity or mortality could be detected in the mice consuming freshly frozen T. flavovirens at 12 g kg?1 d?1 for 4 weeks. (2) The exposed mice had higher plasma bilirubin concentrations and higher CK and CK-MB activities than the control mice indicating hepato-, myo- and cardiotoxicity. (3) Signs of hepato- or myotoxicity were not present in the histological samples, but the cardiac samples showed increased incidence of pericardial inflammation in the T. flavovirens-fed mice. (4) Repeated consumption of T. flavovirens should be avoided.
Amazon Mycorenewal Project
Between 1964 and 1992, Texaco spilled over 18.5 billion gallons of highly toxic waste into 600 open unlined pits. Little has been cleaned up. These pools contain a mixture of oil, heavy metals and radioactive substances that continues to overflow and seep into the water table, resurfacing in rivers and wells. 
The Amazon Mycorenewal Project brings this exciting technique to the Amazon for
the first time ever. A coalition of Ecuadorian and international non-governmental organizations is partnering with local people to remediate their lands using mycelium as well as grow edible and medicinal mushrooms for consumption and income generation.
Cascade Mycological Society Teaching and Demonstration Support Grant
Grants up to $200.00 will be awarded to those wishing to teach children (K through 12) about mycology. The grant is intended to introduce children to mycology and may be used by the recipient to teach lessons on mycology, host a speaker, conduct a field trip, grow mushrooms in the classroom, obtain books for school use and the like.
Download detailed information on grant
American Academy of Microbiology colloquium report on Fungi
The American Academy of Microbiology has released its newest colloquium report, “The Fungal Kingdom: Diverse and Essential Roles in Earth’s Ecosystem.”
The report is the product of a colloquium convened by the Academy in November 2007, where experts in mycology, medicine, plant pathogens, and ecology discussed the current state of research in mycology and compiled a list of specific recommendations for future work. This report explores the roles fungi play in the world around us. Fungi can cause a number of life-threatening diseases, but they also are becoming increasingly useful to science and manufacturing every year. Research is critically needed in this field to bring about a better understanding of this kingdom.
You may access the report in its entirety at American Academy of Microbiology.