''Amaropostia stiptica'' is a rare, bitter-tasting species of
polypore
Polypores, also called bracket or shelf fungi, are a morphological group of basidiomycete-like gilled mushrooms and hydnoid fungi that form large fruiting bodies called conks, which are typically woody, circular, shelf- or bracket-shaped, ...
fungus in the family
Fomitopsidaceae
The Fomitopsidaceae are a family (biology), family of fungi in the order Polyporales. Most species are parasitic on woody plants, and tend to cause Wood-decay fungus#Brown rot, brown rots. The name comes from ''Fomitopsis'' (meaning "looking like ...
. It is known for being one of the most bitter-tasting substances ever tested, surpassing denatonium benzoate in sensory assays.
This fungus forms woody, shelf-like fruiting bodies and typically grows on dead or decaying hardwood in tropical and subtropical forests.
Description
''Amaropostia stiptica'' produces perennial, sessile, bracket-like fruiting bodies that are hard and woody. The upper surface is typically greyish to brownish and concentrically zoned, while the underside features fine pores. The taste is extraordinarily bitter and immediate, reportedly unbearable in sensory evaluations.
Chemistry and bitterness
According to a 2025 study, ''A. stiptica'' contains multiple secondary metabolites such as
Oligoporin D
Oligoporin D is a natural product isolated from the "bitter bracket" mushroom '' Amaropostia stiptica''. It was found to be one of the most potent agonists yet discovered for the bitter taste
The gustatory system or sense of taste is the sen ...
that activate human bitter taste receptors TAS2R14 and TAS2R46 with remarkable potency.
These compounds elicit responses up to 10 times greater than denatonium benzoate, previously considered the most bitter known substance. Researchers suggest that the extreme bitterness is likely a chemical defence against herbivory.
See also
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Fomitopsis
''Fomitopsis'' is a genus of more than 40 species of bracket fungi in the family Fomitopsidaceae.
Taxonomy
The genus was circumscribed by Finnish mycologist Petter Karsten in 1881 with '' Fomitopsis pinicola'' as the type species. Molecular an ...
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Mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungus, fungi, including their Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy, genetics, biochemistry, biochemical properties, and ethnomycology, use by humans. Fungi can be a source of tinder, Edible ...
References
External links
Index Fungorum – ''Amaropostia stiptica''
{{Taxonbar, from=Q107481496
Fomitopsidaceae
Fungi described in 1853
Inedible fungi
Fungus species