Arsenic mushroom
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| Arsenic mushroom | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Microascus brevicaulis | ||||||||||||
| SP Abbott |
The arsenic fungus is a mold belonging to the genus Microascus ( Microascus brevicaulis , Syn . : Penicillium brevicaule ). However, it should be better known under the name of its anamorphic form Scopulariopsis brevicaulis .
In the presence of carbohydrates, the fungus can degrade colors containing arsenic , such as Schweinfurt green (copper arsenite acetate), with the formation of gaseous, toxic trimethylarsine . The most prominent victim of such arsenic poisoning may have been Napoleon . The rooms of his exile in St. Helena were painted green. An analysis of his body a few years ago found large amounts of arsenic in his hair and fingernails compared to today's hair samples, but it turned out that there was no death from the heavy metal poisoning.
A role of the fungus in sudden infant death syndrome is discussed.
swell
- ↑ http://www.doctorfungus.org/thefungi/Scopulariopsis_brevicaulis.php (link not available)
- ↑ Napoleon's death