Is the Yellow Knight Mushroom Edible or Not? A Systematic Review and Critical Viewpoints on the Toxicity of Tricholoma equestre

Abstract

There is no scientific consensus regarding the safety of the Yellow Knight mushroom Tricholoma equestre (L.) P.Kumm. Following reports of cases of intoxication involving effects such as rhabdomyolysis, and supportive observations from in vivo experimental models, T. equestre is considered as a poisonous mushroom in some countries while in others it is still widely collected from the wild and consumed every year. In this paper, we review all the available information on T. equestre including its morphological and molecular characterization, nutritional value, levels of contaminants observed in fruiting bodies, the possibility of mistake with species that are morphologically similar, and the in vivo data on safety and cases of human intoxication. Based on available data, it is suggested that T. equestre cannot be considered as a toxic species and does not appear to exhibit any greater health threat than other mushroom species currently considered as edible. More care should be taken when reporting cases of human poisoning to fully identify T. equestre as the causative agent and to exclude a number of interfering factors. Specific guidelines for reporting future cases of poisoning with T. equestre are outlined in this paper. Any future research involving T. equestre should present the results of molecular phylogenetic analyses.

ECONOMETRIC MODEL FOR ESTIMATION OF HEAVY METALS IN WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOM (\textit{SUILLUS LUTEUS})

“…The heavy metal contents of the species depend on the ability of the species to extract elements from the substrate, and on the selective uptake and deposition of elements in tissues. The results obtained in the current study, indicated that Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe content of the investigated mushroom samples were comparable with those reported in the literature (Table 1) (see [1], [4], [5]). The averages of Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe present in the studied wild mushrooms were far below the limits set by the WHO (see [7]).…”

“…Furthermore, deficiency or imbalance of essential or non-essential minerals above threshold concentration levels confers a risk of disease development. Therefore, the adequate and accurate food composition data are essential for estimating the adequacy of intake of essential nutrients and assessing the risk from toxic metals (see [1], [5]).…”

The effect of different substrates on the growth of six cultivated mushroom species and composition of macro and trace elements in their fruiting bodies

“…Mushrooms are an important food product, which is particularly valued as a delicacy in Asia and Central-Eastern Europe for their taste, nutritional value and biological activity [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Apart from traditional collection of wild mushrooms, there is a growing interest in cultivated forms [7,8].…”

“…Mushrooms are known to uptake and accumulate various chemical elements [5,[15][16][17][18]. However, the efficiency of this process can be species dependent and can be influenced by bioavailability of elements [4,19].…”

Comment on “Study of biological activity of Tricholoma equestre fruiting bodies and their safety for human”

“…Prior to this, it had a long -history of consumption in many countries with no anecdotal or scientific evidence of toxic effects. It is still considered edible and widely consumed in regions such as Poland [8]. As shown in a recent study, more than half of mushroom foragers in this country have consumed T. equestre at least once in their lifetime [9].…”