Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are fascinating organisms that exhibit a unique phenomenon known as bruising. This refers to the discoloration that occurs when the tissue of the mushroom is damaged or stressed due to handling, environmental factors, or physical impact. The most common sign of bruising is a change in color, typically appearing as blue, green, or brown hues on the surface. While bruising is primarily a cosmetic issue, it can also be an important indicator for identifying mushrooms and determining their potential edibility. This paragraph aims to delve into the intriguing world of mushroom bruising, exploring the reasons behind this colorful display and its significance in the realm of mycology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Discoloration that occurs when mushroom tissue is damaged or stressed |
| Cause | A chemical reaction between compounds in the mushroom and oxygen when the cell walls are broken |
| Identification | Nick the top and bottom of the mushroom cap and observe color changes within 30 minutes of picking |
| Color Change | Blue, green, or brown discoloration on the surface of the mushroom or mycelium |
| Texture Change | The bruised area may feel softer or more fragile than the surrounding tissue |
| Mushroom Species | Psilocybe cubensis, Lactarius deliciosus, Agaricus bisporus, Boletus campestris, Russula rubescens, Mycena haematopus, Lactarius helvus |
| Mushroom Bleeding | Exudation of a milky latex substance when a mushroom is cut or injured |
| Safety | Bruising alone is not a reliable method for determining if a mushroom is safe to eat; use in combination with other identification methods |
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What You'll Learn
Bruising vs contamination
Mushroom bruising refers to the discolouration that occurs when the mushroom tissue is damaged or stressed. This can be caused by handling, environmental factors, or physical impact. The most common sign of bruising is a change in colour on the mushroom cap, stem, or mycelium. This can range from blue or green to brown, depending on the mushroom species and the severity of the damage. In some cases, the bruised area may feel softer or more fragile than the surrounding tissue.
Bruising is often a source of confusion for new growers, who may mistake it for contamination. Here are some key differences between bruising and contamination:
- Location and Pattern: Bruising usually appears in areas that have been physically handled or stressed, and it often has a uniform colour change. Contamination, on the other hand, can appear in patches with irregular edges and can include colours like black, pink, or fuzzy textures that are different from the mycelium.
- Consistency: Bruised areas typically remain consistent in appearance once they form, while contamination spots can grow, spread, and change in appearance over time.
- Colour Change: While bruising typically results in blue, green, or brown discolouration, contamination can cause a wider range of colour changes, including black, pink, or fuzzy textures.
- Q-tip Test: A simple way to distinguish between bruising and contamination is to use a Q-tip test. Wipe a Q-tip across the affected area, and if the blue colour transfers to the Q-tip, the substrate is likely contaminated. If not, it is simply bruised.
It is important to note that bruising alone is not a reliable method for determining the edibility or safety of a mushroom. It should be used in combination with other identification methods. Additionally, while bruising is mostly a cosmetic issue, it can indicate potential potency changes in psilocybin mushrooms, as the discolouration is related to the degradation of psilocin.
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Physical damage
Mushrooms are delicate organisms that bruise quite easily. The most common cause of bruising is physical damage, which can occur during the harvesting process. Even slight pressure can lead to visible discolouration. This discolouration is a result of a chemical reaction between compounds in the mushroom and oxygen when the cell walls are broken. For example, when the cap of a Gyroporus cyanescens is nicked, the variegatic acid present in the mushroom converts to the blue-coloured molecule quinone methide.
To prevent physical damage and minimise bruising, it is recommended to handle mushrooms with care and use clean, sharp tools for harvesting. Maintaining a stable environment with consistent temperature, humidity, and air circulation can also help reduce the likelihood of bruising.
It is worth mentioning that bruising is not always a result of physical damage. Environmental factors such as rapid changes in temperature, humidity, or air circulation can also cause bruising. Additionally, nutrient imbalances can weaken the mycelium, making it more susceptible to bruising from minor physical impacts.
While bruising is a common occurrence in mushroom cultivation, it is important to distinguish it from contamination. Bruising usually appears in areas that have been physically handled or stressed, with a uniform colour change. On the other hand, contamination can appear in patches with irregular edges and can include colours like black, pink, or a fuzzy texture that differs from the mycelium.
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Environmental stress
Mushrooms are believed to bruise when exposed to oxygen, and when handled or manipulated. However, a 1967 study found that the bluing reaction does not necessarily require exposure to oxygen. This has led many to believe that the presence of a metal compound (likely copper-based) inside of mushrooms is at least partially responsible for causing the reaction.
Environmental factors such as rapid changes in temperature, humidity, or air circulation can stress the mycelium and mushrooms, leading to bruising. For example, hard misting and hard fanning can cause mushroom bruising. In the case of mycelium bruising due to dryness, mushroom cakes need rehydration and proper relative humidity in the fruiting chamber.
The presence of a copper-based compound may explain why some non-psychoactive mushrooms also bruise. It is also possible that the bluing reaction in non-psychoactive mushrooms is different, leading to different shades of blue and produced by different compounds than those found in psilocybin mushrooms.
Some mushroom growers may mistake bruising for contamination. However, a Q-tip test can be used to determine whether the mycelium is bruised or contaminated.
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Colour change
Mushroom bruising can be identified by nicking the top and bottom of the mushroom cap and observing any colour changes within 30 minutes of picking, as older specimens may not exhibit reliable results. The colour change is caused by a chemical reaction that occurs when certain compounds in the cell walls of the mushroom, such as variegatic acid, are exposed to oxygen in the air. This interaction leads to the formation of molecules like quinone methide, resulting in blue discolouration.
Different mushroom species exhibit varying colour changes when bruised. For example, the Lactarius deliciosus, or saffron milk cap, turns green when bruised, while the Agaricus bisporus, commonly known as the white button mushroom, typically bruises pinkish. Psilocybe cubensis, a hallucinogenic mushroom, bruises in shades of blue or blue-green.
It is important to note that while colour change can be an important piece of information when identifying mushrooms, it should not be the sole criterion for determining edibility. Blue bruising, for instance, is not always indicative of toxicity or hallucinogenic properties. Some edible mushrooms, like Agaricus bisporus, exhibit pinkish bruising. Additionally, not all hallucinogenic mushrooms bruise, and some toxic mushrooms may not exhibit colour change. Therefore, it is crucial to employ multiple identification methods to ensure safety when consuming mushrooms.
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Mushroom bleeding
The color change in mushroom bruising is caused by a chemical reaction that occurs when certain compounds in the cell walls of the mushroom are exposed to oxygen in the air. This reaction results in the discoloration of the mushroom tissue. In some mushrooms, such as the Bolete species, the flesh slowly turns blue when the cap is sliced. This is because the oxygen in the air interacts with the variegatic acid in the mushroom, converting it into the blue-colored molecule quinone methide.
In Psilocybe cubensis, or magic mushrooms, the dark blue pigments are similar to indigo, the dye used to produce blue jeans. While the source of the blue color in Boletales mushrooms is oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid, this is not the case in Psilocybe mushrooms. It was previously believed that the blue color in these mushrooms was caused by oxidised psilocybin, but the exact pigment and biochemical pathway had remained a mystery until recently. Chemists have now discovered that all six of the mushroom pigments they identified are products of a cascade reaction starting with psilocybin. An oxidizing laccase creates psilocyl radicals, which combine to form C-5 coupled subunits and then further polymerize via C-7.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms bruise due to a chemical reaction between the compounds in the mushroom and oxygen when the cell walls are broken. This typically appears as a blue, green, or brown discoloration on the surface of the mushroom.
Nick the top and bottom of the mushroom cap and observe any color changes. This should be done within 30 minutes of picking the mushroom as specimens that are not fresh don't give reliable results.
Mushroom bruising is not a reliable method for determining if a mushroom is safe to eat. It should be used in combination with other identification methods. Blue bruising, for example, indicates that a particular mushroom can potentially be an active psilocybin mushroom, but not all blue-bruising mushrooms are hallucinogenic, and some are poisonous.
