Melanogaster (fungus)

Melanogaster
Melanogaster tuberiformis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Boletales
Family: Paxillaceae
Genus: Melanogaster
Corda
Type species
Melanogaster tuberiformis
Corda
Synonyms[1]
  • Argylium Wallr.
  • Uperhiza Bosc
  • Hyperrhiza Bosc
  • Bulliardia Jungh.
  • Bullardia Jungh.
Melanogaster cross section

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.[2] The genus contains 25 species that collectively have a widespread distribution.[3]

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.[4]

  1. ^ Melanogaster in MycoBank.
  2. ^ "Frequently Asked Truffle Questions". North American Truffling Society. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  3. ^ Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi (10th ed.). Wallingford: CABI. p. 414. ISBN 978-0-85199-826-8.
  4. ^ Aulinger K, Besl H, Spiteller P, Spiteller M, Steglich W (2001). "Melanocrocin, a polyene pigment from Melanogaster broomeianus (Basidiomycetes)". Z. Naturforsch. C. 56 (7–8): 495–98. doi:10.1515/znc-2001-7-803. PMID 11531079. S2CID 41177931.