When magic mushrooms turn blue
Scientists from Jena investigated the blue coloration of magic mushrooms after injury
Since the discovery of psilocybin, scientists have been wondering why the fungi of the genus Psilocybe produce this substance. Psilocybin is the strongly hallocinogenic compound that gives the fungi their effect. The team led by Professor Dirk Hoffmeister from Jena examined the blue discoloration of the fungus after an injury. This study provided finally an explanation for the formation of psilocybin, as reported in the journal "Angewandte Chemie".
Originalpublikation
Lenz C, Wick J, Braga D, Garcia-Altares M, Lackner G, Hertweck C, Gressler M, Hoffmeister D (2019) Injury-triggered blueing reactions of Psilocybe "magic" mushrooms. Angew Chem Int Ed, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201910175.
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