PIGMENTS AND OTHER EXTRACTIVES FROM CARPOPHORES OF AMANITA MUSCARIA

Abstract
Carpophores of Amanita muscaria (Fr.) S. F. Gray collected near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, contained a mixture of orange-red, water-soluble pigments, none of which was identical with muscarufin, the red pigment reported in mushrooms of this species found in Europe. The main substances accompanying the pigments in the aqueous ethanolic extract were identified and the amounts of each estimated. Of these, fumaric and malic acids, glucose, trehalose, and mannitol have been reported in European specimens of the fungus. Gluconic and citric acids have not previously been described from this species. The composition of the lipid and free amino acid reserves was also determined.