Brown Rot: Is It Poisonous to Humans?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential toxicity of brown rot fungi, specifically in relation to human consumption. Participants explore the characteristics of various fungi, their effects on health, and the safety of consuming affected fruits.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether brown rot is poisonous to humans.
  • Another participant states that while brown rot fungi are not human pathogens, consuming large amounts may cause stomach discomfort.
  • A participant discusses the production of various compounds by fungi, mentioning aflatoxins and their carcinogenic properties, and expresses caution about consuming Monilinia spp.
  • There is a query about the toxicity of bread mold, specifically Rhizopus stolonifera, with a suggestion to avoid eating unknown molds.
  • A participant elaborates on the distinction between edible and toxic fungi, emphasizing the need for knowledge when foraging for mushrooms.
  • Historical context is provided regarding the risks faced by individuals unfamiliar with mushroom identification, particularly in relation to North American and European species.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of caution regarding the consumption of fungi, with no consensus on the safety of brown rot or bread mold. Multiple competing views on the toxicity of different fungi remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of species identification and the potential for confusion between edible and toxic varieties, indicating that assumptions about safety cannot be made based solely on appearance or smell.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals concerned about food safety, mycology enthusiasts, and those involved in foraging or culinary practices involving fungi.

bomba923
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"Brown Rot"

Is it poisonous to humans? :bugeye:
 
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If your talking about the fungi that affects fruit..its not a human pathogen. Tho eating large amounts, may give you a sour stomach.
 
Fungi produce a lot of ancillary compounds, for example, aflatoxins.
Which types of extra compounds depends on the species. Some fungi flavor cheese, others like aflatoxin-producing species are carcinogenic.

If it's Monilinia spp, it possibly is okay, but I personally would not eat it.
A Rhizopus stolinifera (storage rot) is smelly for the reason that it generates some foul tasting compunds. Rhizopus rot areas become fuzzy almost right away, Molilinia does not, it just kind of caves in.
 
Hmm...what about bread mold? (another fungi)
Is it toxic/poisonous to humans?
 
Rhizopus stolonifera is bread mold. In general, when you do not know what a mold is and also know it's okay; be safe and don't eat it.


There are molds in cheese making, yeast is a fungus. These are edible.
Yet some edible cheeses are, um, stinky. So you can't tell just by smell.
Mushrooms come in lots of species, edible and super-toxic. You have to know 'em to pick 'em and eat 'em.

Short story: North American mushrooms have lookalikes in Eruope. The European lookalikes are safe, the North American ones are not. Folks in France often go on picnics and harvest wild mushrooms for lunch.

Following custom, new French Embassy staff (in the past) used to go out and get sick by picking and eating mushrooms around the Washington DC area. The Emabssy staff now knows not to do this; they have training.
I hope.
 

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