Mushrooms

What are Mushrooms

Mushrooms are fungi of which there are numerous species and sub species, they are one of the 5 animal and plant kingdoms on our planet and are only outnumbered by the number of species in the insect kingdom! Fungi lack chlorophyll and are unable to directly synthesize organic materials. It must take necessary organic compounds from living or dead organisms.

What most of us call a mushroom is the visible part of the body, the fruit, which is normally located above the substrate surface. In or on the substrate is the body of the fungus, the thallus. The thallus consists of filamentous tubes, the mycelial hyphae, rarely seen with the naked eye.

Their role in the ecosystem
Their role in the balance of the carbon cycle and minerals is considered irreplaceable. Particularly important is the participation in decomposition of cellulose and xylene.

The enzyme secretions of fungi break down complex compounds to simple elements. If it were not for fungi and bacteria that decompose the leaves from our deciduous trees, forests would disappear under piles of leaves. Our planet would turn into a vast graveyard of animal and plant matter!

Fruiting conditions

Theoretically, the ideal conditions for the growth of most fungi are those that combine relatively high humidity in the soil and air and small differences between the maximum and minimum temperatures. In Greece such climate conditions occur mainly in the autumn.

Edible mushrooms
Wild mushrooms are a perfect food and the value of some species has far surpassed the price of black caviar! Beyond the exceptional flavors and aromas, they have the advantage of being free from chemical fertilizers, hormones and pesticides.

Moreover, many consider them suitable for a slimming diet, since they contain fiber (cellulose and mykochitini) in significant quantities from 0.8% to 7%, fat 0.2-0.5% and a small amount of sugar 1-1.5 %. Mushrooms are mainly made up of water 80-90%, proteins from 1.5 to 5.5%, minerals and trace elements 0.5-1.5%, vitamins and enzymes. In addition, dozens of species of mushrooms have proven healing properties.

Deadly mushrooms - Falloeidiki poisoning
The most dangerous poisoning caused by fungi is falloeidiki that affects mainly the liver. This poisoning accounts for the largest proportion of deaths from mushrooms in Europe. Symptoms of poisoning appear after 6-24 hours. The intense diarrhea, vomiting and sweating causes dehydration of the body.

Strong pains in the abdomen, an intense thirstiness and an inability to urinate are the symptoms which can last two days. Usually by the third day the symptoms recede but return stronger. Jaundice, liver failure, damage to the heart, kidneys and the central nervous system, which ultimately lead to death! In case of poisoning you should transfer the victim as quickly as possible to a well equipped hospital, with a sample of the mushroom they have eaten 50 grams of poisonous mushrooms is enough to cause death.