Sarah Brown
Mushrooms that contain psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, often develop blue bruises when they are cut, picked, or handled. This phenomenon, called bluing, is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin, which leads to the degradation of the psychoactive compound. While the exact purpose of this process is unknown, it is hypothesized that the blue pigments may serve a protective role by producing toxic compounds that repel insects. Interestingly, not all psilocybin mushrooms exhibit bluing, and the intensity of bruising can vary depending on the potency of the mushroom. Furthermore, some non-psychoactive mushrooms also undergo bluing due to the oxidation of different acids when exposed to air, demonstrating the complexity of mushroom bruising and oxidation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occurrence | Mushrooms turn blue when they are cut, picked, pressed, or bruised. |
| Cause | The blue colour is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin. |
| Other causes | Exposure to oxygen, handling, manipulation, and oxidation. |
| Other factors | The presence of a metal compound, likely copper-based, inside the mushrooms. |
| Pigment | A complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily quinoid psilocyl oligomers. |
| Function | The blue pigments may serve a protective role, acting as an on-demand repellent against predators. |
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What You'll Learn
- The blue colour of bruised mushrooms is caused by a mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products
- The bluing of mushrooms is triggered by picking, pressing, cutting, or otherwise manipulating the fungi
- The presence of a metal compound, likely copper-based, is believed to be partially responsible for the oxidation reaction
- The blue pigments may serve a protective role, acting as a repellent against insects
- Bluing is a common feature of mushroom species containing psilocybin, but not all psilocybin mushrooms will bruise blue
The blue colour of bruised mushrooms is caused by a mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products
The blue colour of bruised mushrooms is indeed caused by a mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products. Mushrooms are believed to bruise when they are exposed to oxygen, handled, or manipulated. This exposure to oxygen and subsequent oxidation lead to the degradation of psilocybin.
However, it is important to note that a 1967 study found that the bluing reaction does not always require oxygen. This suggests that the presence of a metal compound, likely copper-based, inside the mushrooms may also be responsible for the reaction. This compound is likely produced by an enzyme present in some, but not all, psilocybin mushrooms. This explains why not all mushrooms containing psilocybin will bruise blue.
The blue colour of bruised mushrooms is a result of a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily composed of quinoid psilocyl oligomers. These oligomers are compounds similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used for dyeing jeans. The six mushroom pigments identified by the team are products of a cascade reaction that starts with psilocybin. This reaction involves the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin, which then undergoes transformations leading to dimerization and duplication. The subsequent conversion of dimerized psilocin produces molecules that reflect blue light, resulting in the characteristic bluing patterns observed in bruised mushrooms.
It is worth mentioning that the blue pigments' exact function remains a mystery. However, it is hypothesized that they might serve a protective role, acting as an on-demand repellent against predators. These compounds may produce reactive oxygen species that are toxic to insects attempting to feed on the mushrooms.
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The bluing of mushrooms is triggered by picking, pressing, cutting, or otherwise manipulating the fungi
The bluing phenomenon in mushrooms has intrigued natural product chemists for decades. Bluing, or bruising, is a natural process that occurs in psilocybin-containing mushrooms, although not all psilocybin mushrooms exhibit this reaction. The phenomenon is triggered by picking, pressing, cutting, or otherwise manipulating the fungi, which results in cell damage and exposure to oxygen.
The chemical basis for the blue colouration has been a mystery, with the exact mechanism remaining elusive. However, recent studies have shed some light on the process. It is now understood that the pigment is not a single compound but a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily composed of quinoid psilocyl oligomers. These compounds are similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used in denim dyeing.
The bluing process is initiated by the degradation of psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin through the removal of a phosphate group by the enzyme phosphatase. This conversion is the first step in a cascade reaction. The subsequent steps involve the oxidation of psilocin, leading to the formation of psilocyl radicals that combine to form C-5 coupled subunits and further polymerise, resulting in the blue colour.
The oxidation process in psilocybin mushrooms is not solely dependent on oxygen exposure. A 1967 study found that the bluing reaction can occur even without oxygen. This suggests that a metal compound, likely copper-based, may play a role in triggering the reaction. The presence of this compound is attributed to an enzyme found in some psilocybin mushrooms, explaining why not all psilocybin-containing mushrooms exhibit bluing.
It is worth noting that bluing is not limited to psychoactive mushrooms. Some non-psychoactive strains, such as Lactarius indigo and certain bolete mushrooms, also undergo bluing. However, the reaction in these mushrooms is believed to be slightly different, resulting in varying shades of blue. The blue colour in bolete mushrooms, for example, is attributed to the oxidation of pulvinic acid derivatives or gyrocyanin, a unique compound that is not psychoactive.
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The presence of a metal compound, likely copper-based, is believed to be partially responsible for the oxidation reaction
The oxidation reaction that causes mushrooms to turn blue, or "bruise", has been a mystery for decades. While it was known that the oxidation of psilocybin caused the blue colour, the biochemical pathway that produced it was unknown.
Recent research has revealed that the blue pigment is not a single compound but a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products. Most of these are quinoid psilocyl oligomers, compounds similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans.
The 1967 study that discovered this compound also found that the bluing reaction does not require oxygen to occur, which further supports the theory that a metal compound is responsible for the oxidation. This compound may be produced by an enzyme within the mushroom's cells, which would explain why the presence of psilocybin is required for bruising.
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The blue pigments may serve a protective role, acting as a repellent against insects
The blue pigments that occur in some mushrooms when they are bruised, cut, or handled are the result of oxidation. This phenomenon has been observed in several mushroom species, including Psilocybe cubensis, Boletales, and Psilocybe azurescens. While the biochemical pathway producing the blue pigments was unknown for decades, recent studies have shed light on their chemical composition and potential ecological functions.
The blue pigments in mushrooms are not single compounds but rather complex mixtures of linked psilocybin oxidation products. These products are primarily quinoid psilocyl oligomers, which share structural similarities with indigo, a deep blue pigment used in dyeing. The oxidation of psilocybin leads to the formation of psilocin, which then undergoes further reactions to produce the blue pigments.
While the exact purpose of these blue pigments in mushrooms remains a subject of ongoing research, one hypothesis suggests that they may serve a protective role against insects and other predators. The pigments could act as a repellent by producing reactive oxygen species that are toxic to insects attempting to feed on the mushrooms. This hypothesis is supported by the observation that more potent mushrooms tend to develop blue bruising more easily, indicating a potential correlation between toxicity and the presence of blue pigments.
The idea of fungal pigments acting as a defense mechanism is not unprecedented. For example, the pigment chalciporone, produced by the mushroom Chalciporus piperatus, is believed to act as a deterrent to insects and other predators. Additionally, bioluminescent fungi, such as Agaricales, emit a steady green light to attract lovesick beetles, tricking them into spreading their spores. These examples illustrate the diverse strategies employed by fungi to interact with their environment and ensure their survival.
In conclusion, while the blue pigments in mushrooms are a result of oxidation, their potential protective role against insects and other predators is an intriguing area of ongoing research. By understanding the chemical processes and ecological significance of these pigments, we can gain valuable insights into the complex world of fungi and their interactions with other organisms in their environment.
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Bluing is a common feature of mushroom species containing psilocybin, but not all psilocybin mushrooms will bruise blue
Bluing, or bruising, is a natural process that occurs in many psilocybin mushrooms. It is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin, which results in a blue colour. However, not all psilocybin mushrooms will bruise blue.
Psilocybin is a psychotropic compound found in certain mushroom species, such as Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe azurescens. These mushrooms are often referred to as magic mushrooms due to their psychoactive properties. When the cell walls of these mushrooms are damaged through picking, pressing, cutting, or bruising, they can instantly turn blue.
The blue colour is a result of the oxidation of psilocybin, which leads to the formation of psilocin. Psilocin then undergoes further transformations that cause it to dimerize and duplicate, resulting in the production of molecules that reflect blue light. This process is known as oxidative oligomerization and is catalysed by the enzymes PsiP and PsiL.
While bluing is a common feature of psilocybin mushrooms, it is not universal. The presence of psilocybin alone does not guarantee that a mushroom will bruise blue. For example, Psilocybe semilanceata is a highly potent psychedelic mushroom that rarely exhibits blue bruising. It may only bruise slightly at the base of its stem, earning it the nickname "Blue Legs".
The variation in bluing between psilocybin mushrooms is not yet fully understood. One hypothesis suggests the presence of a metal compound, likely copper-based, inside the mushrooms may be responsible for the reaction. This compound is likely produced by an enzyme present in some, but not all, psilocybin mushrooms, which could explain the variation in bluing. Additionally, the potency of the mushroom may play a role, with more potent mushrooms believed to develop blue bruising more easily.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom bruising, otherwise known as "bluing", is a natural process that occurs in mushrooms containing psilocybin. It is believed to occur when mushrooms are exposed to oxygen and handled or manipulated.
The exact reason for mushroom bruising is not yet known. However, it is widely believed that bluing occurs due to the degradation of psilocin by enzymes within the mushroom’s cells in response to oxidation.
Mushroom bruising is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin, which results in blue-coloured pigments. These pigments are a mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily composed of quinoid psilocyl oligomers.
Mushroom bruising commonly occurs in psilocybin-containing mushrooms like Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe azurescens. However, not all psilocybin mushrooms exhibit bruising, and some non-psilocybin mushrooms, like Lactarius indigo and certain bolete mushrooms, also undergo blue bruising.
