TOXIN CONTENT, PHALLOTOXIN AND AMATOXIN COMPOSITION OF AMANITA-PHALLOIDES TISSUES

The toxin content and composition of Amanita phalloides tissues were d etermined in three specimens at two carpophore development stages. The carpophore was subdivided into six parts, namely, the cap, gills, rin g, stipe, volva and bulb. To our knowledge, this is the first report o f such an investigation on the ring and the bulb. Substantial differen ces in the tissue toxin content were revealed. The ring displayed a ve ry high amount of toxins, whereas the bulb had the lowest toxin conten t. Compositional differences in relation to the nature of the tissue w ere also noted. The highest amatoxin content was found in the ring, gi lls and cap, whereas the bulb and volva were the richest in phallotoxi ns. Furthermore, variability in the toxin composition was observed. Th e differences in the distribution of individual toxins in the tissues might be related to the carpophore developmental stage.