Melanogaster (fungus) explained

Melanogaster is a genus of fungus that resemble truffles, and are often mistaken for them. However, they do not have the characteristic aroma and value of truffles, although some have been used culinarily. None are known to be poisonous.^[1] The genus contains 25 species that collectively have a widespread distribution.^[2]

A new polyene pigment, melanocrocin, has been isolated either from fruit bodies or mycelial cultures of the subterranean fungus Melanogaster broomeianus. The structure of the pigment was determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations. Melanocrocin is the N-acyl derivative of L-phenylalanine methyl ester with a polyolefinic carboxylic acid.^[3]

Species

• Melanogaster ambiguus
• Melanogaster broomeiani
• Melanogaster variegatus
• Melanogaster tuberiformis
• Melanogaster broomeianus
• Melanogaster wilsonii

External links

• Web site: Melanogaster Corda . Atlas of Living Australia .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Frequently Asked Truffle Questions . . North American Truffling Society. 1 March 2015.
2. Book: Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA . Dictionary of the Fungi. . limited . 10th . CABI . Wallingford . 2008. 414. 978-0-85199-826-8.
3. Aulinger K, Besl H, Spiteller P, Spiteller M, Steglich W . Melanocrocin, a polyene pigment from Melanogaster broomeianus (Basidiomycetes) . Z. Naturforsch. C . 56 . 7–8 . 495–98 . 2001 . 11531079 . 10.1515/znc-2001-7-803 . 41177931 . free .