Sarah Brown
Hydrazine is a toxic chemical that occurs naturally in some mushroom species, including Gyromitra esculenta and Agaricus bisporus. It is a known carcinogen, causing tumours in the liver, lungs, and digestive tract. The compound has also been linked to gastrointestinal distress, central nervous system effects, liver and kidney damage, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular issues when ingested in large quantities. While agaritine, a hydrazine derivative, has been identified as an experimental carcinogen in high doses, there is insufficient evidence to classify it as carcinogenic to humans when consumed in typical amounts found in mushrooms. Portobello mushrooms, a commonly consumed variety, have been found to contain hydrazine, and their explosive capabilities were even tested on an episode of Mythbusters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms containing hydrazine | Portobello, Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus blazei Murrill, Agaricus subrufescens, Gyromitra esculenta, morel |
| Hydrazine derivatives | Agaritine, Gyromitrin, Methyl Formyl Hydrazine, Mono Methyl Hydrazine, N-methyl-N-formylhydrazine, beta-N-[gamma-L(+)-glutamyl]-4-hydroxymethylphenylhydrazine, 4-hydroxymethylphenylhydrazine, 4-hydroxymethylbenzene diazonium ion, 4-hydrazinobenzoic acid, N′-acetyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine |
| Hydrazine toxicity symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, headache, dizziness, confusion, seizures, jaundice, dark urine, decreased urine output, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure |
| Hydrazine toxicity prevention | Cooking mushrooms thoroughly |
| Hydrazine carcinogenicity | Classified as a carcinogen in high laboratory doses, but insufficient evidence for consumption via mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Agaritine is a hydrazine derivative mycotoxin found in mushrooms
- Portobello mushrooms contain hydrazine and have explosive capabilities
- Gyromitrin, a chemical compound found in mushrooms, can devolve into Methyl Formyl Hydrazine
- Hydrazine is a toxic chemical that can cause gastrointestinal distress and nausea
- Hydrazine is a carcinogen that can cause liver and lung tumours
Agaritine is a hydrazine derivative mycotoxin found in mushrooms
Mushrooms are known to contain hydrazine analogs, which are chemical compounds that can be toxic to humans. Hydrazine is a toxic chemical that can cause gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as abdominal pain and cramping. It can also affect the central nervous system, leading to headaches, dizziness, confusion, and seizures. In addition, hydrazine can cause liver and kidney damage, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular problems. Consuming large quantities of hydrazine can result in hydrazine toxicity, a relatively rare condition.
The presence of agaritine in mushrooms has raised concerns about its potential toxicity and carcinogenicity. While agaritine has been recognized as an experimental carcinogen when used in high laboratory doses, there is inadequate evidence to classify it as carcinogenic to humans when consumed in the amounts typically found in mushrooms. However, studies have shown that the administration of Agaricus bisporus induced tumors in the digestive tract, liver, and lungs of test subjects.
The biosynthesis of agaritine in mushrooms involves the hydroxylation and amination of L-phenylalanine into a precursor, followed by hydrazine functionalization, which requires specific hydrazine-synthesizing enzymes. The genome of Agaricus bisporus can be analyzed to identify the genes encoding enzymes responsible for agaritine synthesis. While the toxic effects of agaritine are a concern, it is important to note that the toxin is destroyed by cooking, so it is crucial to cook mushrooms thoroughly before consumption.
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Portobello mushrooms contain hydrazine and have explosive capabilities
Portobello mushrooms, also known as Agaricus bisporus, contain a chemical called agaritine, an aromatic hydrazine compound. Hydrazine is a powerful reducing agent with various applications, including in explosives.
Hydrazine is a toxic compound with explosive capabilities. It is used in the manufacture of certain explosives and agricultural fungicides. Hydrazine reacts with organic compounds to form alkyl hydrazines, which are used as fuel in rocket and jet propulsion. The first hydrazine fuel was used during World War II in the Messerschmitt Me 163B, the world's first and last rocket-powered fighter plane. Hydrazine is also used as rocket fuel propellant; when mixed with the oxidizing agent dinitrogen tetroxide, it creates a hypergolic mixture that is so explosive that no ignition is required. The explosive nature of hydrazine has been utilized in car airbag manufacturing, with sodium azide, the compound that activates airbags, being derived directly from hydrazine and sodium nitrate.
While Portobello mushrooms do contain agaritine, which can produce hydrazine, it is important to note that the process of extracting hydrazine from agaritine is complex and costly. The concentration of agaritine in Portobello mushrooms is typically around 0.1%. This means that a significant amount of mushrooms would be required to yield a small amount of hydrazine, making it impractical for explosive purposes.
Furthermore, agaritine and its intermediates may be toxic to bacterial cells, and agaritine has potential carcinogenic effects. Therefore, while Portobello mushrooms technically contain a compound that can produce hydrazine, the challenges and hazards associated with its extraction and handling make it an unlikely source for explosive capabilities.
In conclusion, while Portobello mushrooms do contain hydrazine through the presence of agaritine, the complex and costly process of hydrazine extraction, along with the toxic nature of agaritine, make it impractical for any explosive applications.
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Gyromitrin, a chemical compound found in mushrooms, can devolve into Methyl Formyl Hydrazine
Gyromitrin is a chemical compound found in mushrooms, particularly in the species Gyromitra esculenta, also known as the 'false morel'. It is a hydrazone that can be rapidly broken down upon exposure to heat or stomach acid, releasing acetaldehyde and forming Methyl Formyl Hydrazine (MFH). This process can be slow or fast, depending on the conditions.
Gyromitrin is considered toxic to humans and animals, causing a range of adverse effects such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. It is classified as a gastrointestinal irritant, and its consumption can lead to severe neurological symptoms, including seizures. The neurological effects are a result of the toxin's interaction with pyridoxal 5-phosphate, which reduces the production of the neurotransmitter GABA.
The toxicity of gyromitrin varies across different animal species. While Gyromitra esculenta has not been observed to cause cancer in humans, studies have shown that even small amounts of this mushroom may carry a carcinogenic risk for those who consume them. At least 11 different hydrazines have been isolated from Gyromitra esculenta, and the potential carcinogenic effects of these compounds cannot be eliminated through parboiling.
The lethal dose of gyromitrin is estimated to be between 10 and 50 mg/kg. Proper cooking and heating can reduce the toxicity of gyromitrin, but it is not completely eliminated. The boiling point of gyromitrin is 143 °C (289 °F), and ingestion after heating can decrease its toxicity. However, there are no experimental data to quantify the reduction in toxicity after boiling.
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Hydrazine is a toxic chemical that can cause gastrointestinal distress and nausea
The presence of hydrazine in mushrooms has been a topic of interest, with studies showing that lifetime administration of *Agaricus bisporus* and *Gyromitra esculenta* induced tumors in the digestive tract, liver, and lungs. Hydrazine is classified as a carcinogen, and its toxic effects are well-documented. However, it is important to note that the toxicity of hydrazine is relatively rare and typically only occurs when large quantities are ingested.
The compound agaritine, a natural mycotoxin found in fresh samples of *Agaricus bisporus*, is an example of a hydrazine derivative. The agaritine content varies between individual mushrooms and across species, with the highest amounts found in the cap and gills of the fruiting body. Total industrial synthesis of agaritine has been achieved, but there is inadequate evidence to classify it as carcinogenic to humans in the amounts typically ingested from mushroom consumption.
The toxic effects of hydrazine are not limited to mushroom consumption. Hydrazine can also affect the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, and seizures. It can also lead to liver and kidney damage, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular issues. In the case of the morel mushrooms served at Dave's Sushi in Bozeman, Montana, hydrazine toxicity was linked to gastrointestinal issues, resulting in at least 30 people falling sick and two deaths.
To mitigate the risks associated with hydrazine toxicity, it is crucial to cook mushrooms thoroughly before consumption. Cooking destroys the toxin, ensuring it does not cause any adverse health effects. While most people who consume undercooked or raw morels may not experience significant side effects, it is always advisable to exercise caution and ensure proper cooking to eliminate any potential risks associated with hydrazine toxicity.
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Hydrazine is a carcinogen that can cause liver and lung tumours
Hydrazine is a toxic chemical that occurs naturally in mushrooms. It is a derivative of phenylhydrazine and is found in at least 24 species of the genera Agaricus, Leucoagaricus, and Macrolepiota. Agaricus bisporus, also known as the common button mushroom, is particularly pertinent here as it is cultivated in over 70 countries and is the most commonly consumed edible mushroom.
Agaritine, an aromatic hydrazine compound, is present as a natural mycotoxin in fresh samples of Agaricus bisporus. It is derived from L-phenylalanine and synthesized in mushrooms through specific hydrazine-synthesizing enzymes. The biosynthetic pathway of agaritine involves the hydroxylation and amination of L-phenylalanine into a precursor, followed by hydrazine functionalization.
Hydrazine is a known carcinogen, classified as such due to its ability to induce tumours in the liver and lungs, among other sites. Toth (1996) asserted that most hydrazines and derivatives are likely harmful carcinogens, and studies by Toth and colleagues demonstrated that Agaricus bisporus and Gyromitra esculenta induced tumours in the liver and lungs of test subjects.
The toxic effects of hydrazine ingestion include gastrointestinal distress, central nervous system effects, liver and kidney damage, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular issues. Ingesting large quantities of hydrazine can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramping, headaches, dizziness, confusion, seizures, jaundice, dark urine, decreased urine output, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure.
It is important to note that hydrazine toxicity is rare and typically occurs only when large quantities are ingested. Cooking mushrooms thoroughly can destroy the hydrazine toxin, reducing the risk of adverse effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrazine is a toxic chemical that can cause gastrointestinal distress, central nervous system effects, liver and kidney damage, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular effects if ingested in sufficient quantities.
Hydrazine is known to be present in morel mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, and beefsteak mushrooms. It is also found in the wild false morel Gyromitra esculenta and the commonly eaten, cultivated mushroom Agaricus bisporus.
The amount of hydrazine present in mushrooms varies between species and individual mushrooms. For example, the wild false morel Gyromitra esculenta contains up to 0.3% acetaldehyde methylformylhydrazone and N-methyl-N-formylhydrazine (MFH). Agaricus bisporus, also known as the common button mushroom, has an average agaritine content of 0.088%.
While hydrazine is a toxic chemical, it is important to note that hydrazine toxicity is relatively rare and typically only occurs if large quantities of hydrazine are ingested. Cooking mushrooms that contain hydrazine can help destroy the toxin. However, it is recommended to always cook mushrooms thoroughly before consumption to avoid any potential health risks.
