Mushroom Toxins : A Group Of Toxins

Stachybotrys Chartarum or more commonly known as Black Mold is by definition a possibly toxic mold that can produce toxins called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are produced by specific strains of mold which when found in food can cause foodborne illness, which in some cases may become fatal. There are varying mycotoxins found within fungi but this is one of the deadlier mycotoxins versus other mycotoxins, trichothecene. Despite the fact that many people do have mold allergies, this isn’t an allergic it is a reaction to trichothecene that is brought into your body by an outside source, breaking cells down. The purpose of this essay to talk about why black mold is such a serious issue, especially in food service and how it may be prevented.

Human illness associated with ingestion of harmful levels of saxitoxin is known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are the main causative components of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and these are particularly unique amid neurotoxins because they are

This type of poison can be found in the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree. That plant is commonly found in India, Southern Asia, and Australia. This is a very strong poison so a very small amount is enough to cause some serious health problems and even death. As little as 0.15 milligrams of Strychnine can a person sick, and less than 5 milligrams can kill a person. It is most commonly measured in milligrams. The molecular formula for Strychnine is C21H22N2O2. It is a solid state of matter. Some of the other uses of this poison are that it has been used as rat poison and as a pesticide. It can even be found mixed in some street drugs like LSD, cocaine, and heroin. Back in the day it was used in a pill to treat human ailments. When Strychnine enters the body it glycine mediated nerve cell inhibition, which means it prevents the operation of the chemical that controls nerve signals to the muscles. The chemical that controls the nerve signals acts like an “off-switch” for the muscles. When the chemical is is gone, muscles throughout the body suffer severe and painful spasms. Even though the person's consciousness and brain are not affected, the muscles will begin to get tired and then the person will not be able to breathe. The body will try to repair the chemical for the muscles but will not be able to, due to the severe

What has been brought to light in recent years is the effects of these chemicals on the body’s immune response. By introducing these toxic chemicals into the body, the potency of the immune system is compromised. More commonly than not, the body’s magnificent defense system will kick in and destroy foreign invaders but all it can take is an overwhelming amount of chemicals to slow or even shut down the body’s response systems. A large amount of these types of chemicals introduced into the body at one time would be considered acute toxicity and could even cause death. Additionally, a small amount of these poisonous substances brought into the body over a long period would be considered chronic toxicity and can have detrimental effects on the body’s natural response (Hoernschemeyer 55-57). This information is startling enough to want to make a change from conventionally grown food to pesticide-free organic

Scarring, effects of poisoning such as vomiting, drowsiness or seizures. Respiratory problems from drowning, suffocation or poisoning.

Physicians can review the details of the poisonous substances, animal and human exposure and use this information to provide improved patient care services. The website includes all pediatric exposure and this information can educate parents to protect from different poisonous exposure (June 2013 GPC). The GPC maintains a database to provide better understanding of the poison related issues by educating GA residents and healthcare professionals. Healthcare providers can be aware of any drug that probably has caused poisonous effect of consumers by referring to the GPC website. The GPC had received an average of more than six thousand poison related calls each month during the 2014. The GPC website and toll free number for anyone who wants to have more improved knowledge about poison related issues (June 2013

poisonous creatures, deadly to those who are unsuspecting, of those whom are not from the area.

Ergot, the toxic fungus found on rye, is mostly found during the spring and summer months with humid climates (Clues and Evidence). When reproducing, the contaminated grain releases a yellow thick, sticky substance which contains the fungus that spreads the poison throughout the crop. Once the grain is infected, it’s seeds contain lysergic acid which is what the hallucinogen LSD is created from (Clues and Evidence). Some side effects of ingesting Ergot are: “... strange mental aberrations, hallucinations, a feeling of burning skin or insects crawling under the skin. Women frequently miscarried, and fertility was generally reduced during outbreaks… many victims lost hands and feet” (Schumann). Victims of the lethal infection also experienced convulsions, paralysis, tremors and acting disturbed or insane(Schumann).

Fungicides are a class of pesticides that are designed to kill or limit the growth of harmful fungi. "Understanding mechanisms of fungicide action and toxicity is important because humans and domesticated animals encounter these pesticides through a wide variety of applications. In agriculture, fungicides are used to protect tubers, fruits and vegetables during storage or are applied directly to ornamental plants, trees, field crops, cereals and turf grasses" (Hasan 2010: 349). It is very easy to inadvertently and indirectly consume fungicides as a result because of their ubiquitous use, even though many of the components of fungicides can be harmful to human health, animal health and to the environment as a whole.

That's right, everyone's favorite pasta sauce comes from poison. As a member of the nightshade family, tomatoes have glycoalkaloids. These are natural pesticides produced by nightshades and are known to be toxic. By studying mice, it would take 227 mg of the toxin per pound to create a lethal dose. Seeing as there are 2.3 mg/lb of toxin in a ripe tomato, it would take 15,000 pounds of tomatoes to kill a 150-pound mouse.

Symptoms of pesticide poisoning are often deceptively misdiagnosed as flu or allergies. Other problems associated with the use of chemicals include headaches, nausea, fever, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, and temporary paralysis. The National Academy of Sciences reports that at least one out of seven people are significantly harmed by pesticide exposure each year (American Defender Network, 1989). Unfortunately, due to the high costs of inspection, tests for pesticide poisoning are rarely performed.

Along with this, there were also poisonous anaesthetics used. One such recipe contained useful things to make poison pass and to make the patient unconscious. However, this also contained hemlock, which is a poison that can be fatal.

A 20-year old male presented to the hospital with: nausea; diarrhoea and fever. Upon examination he had abdominal pain and a tender liver. The patient admitted to eating wild mushrooms, of which he had collected himself, the afternoon before attending the hospital. Laboratory analysis at the time of admission revealed elevated serum ALT (665 U/L) and AST (880 U/L), increased total bilirubin (4.9mg/dL) and an increased prothrombin time (3.11 seconds). Laboratory tests were repeated six hours later and all levels, except AST, were elevated even further; with ALT and bilirubin doubling in concentration and the prothrombin time also doubling. Albumin concentration was also tested and presented normal at both times. The patient was administered a haemodialysis with N-acetylcysteine.

The toxin alpha-amanitin is responsible for the toxicity of the Death Cap Mushroom. This toxin inhibits RNA polymerase II, which is necessary for DNA transcription. RNA polymerase II is crucial to the replication of cells because it is needed for the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Genes are made up of DNA which is contained within the nucleus of the cell. DNA is necessary for cell replication. However, DNA is unable to leave the nucleus of the cell. During transcription, RNA polymerase II makes a copy of DNA called messenger RNA (mRNA) which is able to leave the cell nucleus. Alpha‐amanitin, the poison found in the Death Cap Mushroom, disrupts mRNA transcription because it slows down the transcription rate. With the inhibition

causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. It also affects the intestines, liver, lungs,