THE DANGER OF TOXIC MUSHROOMS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) – Edible mushrooms are tempting to the
palate, regardless of how they are cooked.

They can be combined with greens and other vegetables in traditional and
western recipes. Hence, it is no surprise that the edible mushroom industry has
gained favour among the young and old.

However, mushroom lovers have been concerned since the news of 41-year-old
Thai national Boonma Gaeoninm’s death at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, after
consuming poisonous mushrooms, on April 8, last year.

There have been previous incidents of mushroom poisoning. Victims often say
they were used to consuming similar mushrooms without ill-effects, earlier.

How do edible mushrooms turn toxic?

NOT ALWAYS SAFE

Universiti Malaya's Head of Mushroom Research Centre, Prof Dr S.
Vikineswary, expressed regret over such incidents, saying the public has been
cautioned multiple times via electronic and print media, and various campaigns.

Despite these warnings, people continue to pick wild mushrooms and consume
them. The results are disastrous.

"You cannot simply pick any mushroom that you find, even though you are used
to picking and eating them. For example, the mushrooms you find in rubber
estates - there is the possibility that someone has sprayed the area with
pesticides and had poisoned the wild mushrooms there.

"Mushrooms can easily absorb any toxic materials nearby. Hence, even if the
mushrooms are edible, they can become toxic after being sprayed (by the
pesticides)," Prof Vikineswary told Bernama, recently.

IDENTIFYING POISONOUS MUSHROOMS

Identifying whether a mushroom is safe for consumption is complicated, and
can only be done by an expert in taxonomy.

Prof Vikineswary said one cannot judge if a mushroom is safe merely by
looking at it.

"It is quite difficult to differentiate whether a mushroom is safe for
consumption or not, particularly when the mushroom is still young, and yet to
mature. It is particularly bad when harvesters think young mushrooms taste
better.

"In its young state, the mushroom appears edible, but in reality could be
poisonous. A typical example is the termite mushroom.

"These mushrooms are difficult to get. Hence, the assumption that any
mushroom that grows on ant hills can be eaten is gravely wrong. Actually these
mushrooms can be poisonous," explained Prof Vikineswary.

She said people who are used to eating wild mushrooms, such as the Orang
Asli, can differentiate between edible and toxic mushrooms.

OLD SAYINGS

It is best to ignore old sayings on how to pick mushrooms. Some such sayings
claim that if maggots or insects are found crawling on mushrooms, they are safe
for consumption.

However, the effects of mushrooms on insects and humans are different.

It is also said that if mushrooms are cooked with garlic, and the garlic
does not change color, the mushrooms are safe. Similarly, it is said if the
aroma of the mushroom is appealing, it can be eaten.

However, the safest method is to buy mushrooms from mushroom-growers, or in
the market.

SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS

Consult a doctor immediately if you develop diarrhea, vomiting, rashes or
fever after eating mushrooms. Prof Vikineswary said symptoms of poisoning
usually develop within six hours of consuming mushrooms.

If the symptoms remain after 10 hours, the poisoning could be fatal. This
depends on a person's health and immune response.

"If a person accidentally consumes Amanita phalloides mushrooms, it can be
fatal. It is known as the 'death cap' because it is a very posionous mushroom.

"There are other poisonous mushrooms, but not as strong as Amanita
phalloides. In the west, there is a community that consumes this mushroom for
its intoxicating effects.

"But, this is dangerous. There was a case where a mother died after eating
toxic mushrooms not from the Amanita phalloides variety. Her child survived, but
the mother had a weaker immune system, apart from other diseases,' said Prof
Vikineswary.

Delay in treatment may cause liver and kidney failure, and paralysis.

-- BERNAMA