HOME





Chemical Tests In Mushroom Identification
Chemical tests in mushroom identification are methods that aid in determining the variety of some fungi. The most useful tests are Melzer's reagent and potassium hydroxide. Ammonia Household ammonia can be used. A couple of drops are placed on the flesh. For example, '' Boletus spadiceus'' gives a fleeting blue to blue-green reaction. Iron salts Iron salts are used commonly in '' Russula'' and Bolete identification. It is best to dissolve the salts in water (typically a 10% solution) and then apply to the flesh, but it is sometimes possible to apply the dry salts directly to see a color change. For example, the white flesh of '' Boletus chrysenteron'' stains lemon-yellow or olive. Three results are expected with the iron salts tests: no change indicates a negative reaction; a color change to olive, green or blackish green; or a color change to reddish-pink. Meixner test for amatoxins The Meixner test (also known as the Wieland test) uses concentrated hydrochloric ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Melzer's Reagent
Melzer's reagent (also known as Melzer's iodine reagent, Melzer's solution or informally as Melzer's) is a chemical reagent used by mycologists to assist with the identification of fungi, and by phytopathologists for fungi that are plant pathogens. Composition Melzer's reagent is an aqueous solution of chloral hydrate, potassium iodide, and iodine. Depending on the formulation, it consists of approximately 2.50-3.75% potassium iodide and 0.75–1.25% iodine, with the remainder of the solution being 50% water and 50% chloral hydrate. Melzer's is toxic to humans if ingested due to the presence of iodine and chloral hydrate. Due to the legal status of chloral hydrate, Melzer's reagent is difficult to obtain in the United States. In response to difficulties obtaining chloral hydrate, scientists at Rutgers formulated Visikol (compatible with Lugol's iodine) as a replacement. In 2019, research showed that Visikol behaves differently to Melzer’s reagent in several key situations, notin ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus. :E.g. ''Panthera leo'' (lion) and ''Panthera onca'' (jaguar) are two species within the genus ''Panthera''. ''Panthera'' is a genus within the family Felidae. The composition of a genus is determined by taxonomy (biology), taxonomists. The standards for genus classification are not strictly codified, so different authorities often produce different classifications for genera. There are some general practices used, however, including the idea that a newly defined genus should fulfill these three criteria to be descriptively useful: # monophyly – all descendants of an ancestral taxon are grouped together (i.e. Phylogeneti ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Section (biology)
In biology a section () is a taxonomic rank that is applied differently in botany and zoology. In botany Within flora (plants), 'section' refers to a ''botanical'' rank below the genus, but above the species: * Domain > Kingdom > Division > Class > Order > Family > Tribe > Genus > Subgenus > Section > Subsection > Species In zoology Within fauna (animals), 'section' refers to an uncommonly used ''zoological'' rank below the order, but above the family: * Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Section > Family > Tribe > Genus > Species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ... The rank of Superfamily is commonly adopted instead. In bacteriology The International Code of Nomenclature for Bacteria states that the Section rank is an informal one, between the s ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Nitric Acid
Nitric acid is an inorganic compound with the formula . It is a highly corrosive mineral acid. The compound is colorless, but samples tend to acquire a yellow cast over time due to decomposition into nitrogen oxide, oxides of nitrogen. Most commercially available nitric acid has a concentration of 68% in water. When the solution contains more than 86% , it is referred to as ''fuming nitric acid''. Depending on the amount of nitrogen dioxide present, fuming nitric acid is further characterized as red fuming nitric acid at concentrations above 86%, or white fuming nitric acid at concentrations above 95%. Nitric acid is the primary reagent used for nitration – the addition of a nitro group, typically to an organic molecule. While some resulting nitro compounds are shock- and thermally-sensitive explosives, a few are stable enough to be used in munitions and demolition, while others are still more stable and used as synthetic dyes and medicines (e.g. metronidazole). Nitric acid is ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Aniline
Aniline (From , meaning ' indigo shrub', and ''-ine'' indicating a derived substance) is an organic compound with the formula . Consisting of a phenyl group () attached to an amino group (), aniline is the simplest aromatic amine. It is an industrially significant commodity chemical, as well as a versatile starting material for fine chemical synthesis. Its main use is in the manufacture of precursors to polyurethane, dyes, and other industrial chemicals. Like most volatile amines, it has the odor of rotten fish. It ignites readily, burning with a smoky flame characteristic of aromatic compounds. It is toxic to humans. Relative to benzene, aniline is "electron-rich". It thus participates more rapidly in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. Likewise, it is also prone to oxidation: while freshly purified aniline is an almost colorless oil, exposure to air results in gradual darkening to yellow or red, due to the formation of strongly colored, oxidized impurities. Ani ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Julius Schäffer
Julius Schäffer (3 June 188221 October 1944) was a German mycologist. His contributions include studies on the Agaricales (gilled mushrooms), especially the genus ''Russula'', about which he wrote a monograph in 1933. and issued the exsiccata ''Russulae exsiccatae a Jul. Schaeffer in Annal. Mycolog. vol. 31 & 32 (Russula-Monographie) descriptae''. Later, he revised the genus in the series ''Die Pilze Mitteleuropas'' (1926–1967); his notes were published posthumously by his wife Liesel in 1952 with the help of other mycologists. The work was considered the "authoritative treatment of the group for Central Europe". One of the ''Russula'' species that was first described in this publication was '' R. laeta''. Schäffer developed a chemical test to help with the identification of ''Agaricus'' species. A positive reaction of Schaeffer's test, which uses the reaction of aniline and nitric acid on the surface of the mushroom, is indicated by an orange to red color; it is characteristic ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Boletes
A bolete is a type of mushroom, or fungal fruiting body. It can be identified thanks to a unique cap. On the underside of the cap there is usually a spongy surface with pores, instead of the gills typical of mushrooms. A similar pore surface is found in polypores, but these species generally have a different physical structure from boletes, and have different microscopic characteristics than boletes. Many polypores have much firmer, often woody, flesh. "Bolete" is the English common name for fungus species with caps that have this appearance. Some, but not all boletes bruise blue. Taxonomy The boletes are classified in the order Boletales. However, not all members of the order Boletales are boletes. The micromorphology and molecular phylogeny of the order Boletales have established that it also contains many gilled, puffball, and other fruit body shapes. Examples of these fungi include ''Chroogomphus'', ''Gomphidius'', ''Phylloporus'', ''Paxillus, Tapinella,'' '' Hygrophor ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Cortinarius
''Cortinarius'' is a globally distributed genus of fungus in the family Cortinariaceae. Its members are commonly known by the names cortinar and webcap. It is suspected to be the largest genus of agarics, containing over 2,000 widespread species. Young specimens have a cortina (veil) between the cap and the stem, hence the name. Most of the fibres of the cortina are ephemeral and leave no more than limited remnants on the stem or cap edge. All species have a rusty brown spore print. Several species (such as ''Cortinarius orellanus, C. orellanus'') are highly Mushroom poisoning, toxic and many species are difficult to distinguish, making their consumption inadvisable. Taxonomy Molecular phylogenetics, Molecular studies of members of the genus ''Rozites'', including its most famous member ''R. caperata'', have shown them nested within ''Cortinarius'' and have been sunk into this genus. This genus was erected on the basis of a double veil, yet its members do not form a di ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Agaricus Subrutilescens
''Agaricus subrutilescens'', also known as the wine-colored agaricus, is a mushroom of the genus ''Agaricus''. Taxonomy The species was first described scientifically in 1925 as ''Psalliota subrutilescens''. It was transferred to ''Agaricus'' in 1938. Description ''Agaricus subrutilescens'' has a cap that is across, dry, and has many wine to brown colored fibrils, especially near the center. The gills are close and white at first, turning pinkish and then dark brown in age. The stalk has a skirt-like ring and is long, thick, white, and covered with soft woolly scales below the ring. The flesh is white and does not stain, and the odor and taste are mild. The purplish fibrous cap and shaggy white stem differentiate this mushroom from others which resemble it. Similar species include '' Agaricus hondensis'' and ''A. moelleri''. Habitat and distribution The mushroom fruits in undisturbed mixed woods in Western North America and Japan. It grows by itself or scattered i ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Agaricus Xanthodermus
''Agaricus xanthodermus'', commonly known as the yellow-staining agaricus, yellow-staining mushroom or yellow-stainer, is a species of fungus in the genus ''Agaricus''. It displays a strong yellow colouration at the base of the stem when cut. It has a phenolic smell. It is mushroom poisoning, poisonous for most people, causing gastric upset, but can be eaten by some without apparent negative effect. Taxonomy This species was first officially defined under the name ''Agaricus xanthodermus'' in 1876 by Léon Gaston Genevier, in a letter published in the bulletin of the Société botanique de France, French Botanical Society. Genevier described the ''Agaricus'' mushrooms commonly eaten (perhaps sometimes inadvisedly) in the region of Nantes, and attempted to clarify the distinctions between them. He proposed a detailed reclassification into 5 species, including this new one. Apparently up until that time, these yellow-staining mushrooms were considered to be just varieties of other ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Agaricus
''Agaricus'' is a genus of mushroom-forming fungi containing both edible and poisonous species, with over 400 members worldwide and possibly again as many disputed or newly discovered species. The genus includes the common ("button") mushroom ('' A. bisporus'') and the field mushroom ('' A. campestris''), the dominant cultivated mushrooms of the West. Taxonomy Several origins of genus name ''Agaricus'' have been proposed. It possibly originates from ancient Sarmatia Europaea, where people Agari, promontory Agarum and a river Agarus were known (all located on the northern shore of Sea of Azov, probably, near modern Berdiansk in Ukraine). Note also Greek , agarikón, "a sort of tree fungus" (There has been an ''Agaricon'' Adans. genus, treated by Donk in ''Persoonia'' 1:180.) For many years, members of the genus ''Agaricus'' were given the generic name ''Psalliota'', and this can still be seen in older books on mushrooms. All proposals to conserve ''Agaricus' ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Phenol
Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile and can catch fire. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it requires careful handling because it can cause chemical burns. It is acutely toxic and is considered a health hazard. Phenol was first extracted from coal tar, but today is produced on a large scale (about 7 million tonnes a year) from petroleum-derived feedstocks. It is an important industrial commodity as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds, and is a liquid when manufactured. It is primarily used to synthesize plastics and related materials. Phenol and its chemical derivatives are essential for production of polycarbonates, epoxies, explosives such as picric acid, Bakelite, nylon, detergents, herbicides such as phenoxy herbicides, and numerous pharmaceuti ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]