Analysis of indole compounds in methanolic extracts from the fruiting bodies of Cantharellus cibarius (the Chanterelle) and from the mycelium of this species cultured in vitro.

Methanolic extracts obtained from the fruiting bodies of Cantharellus cibarius (the Chanterelle) and from the mycelium of this species cultured in vitro were analyzed for the qualitative and quantitative composition of non-hallucinogenic indole compounds. The extracts were found to contain eight indole compounds: L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, melatonin, indole, kynurenine sulfate, 5-methyltryptophan, and indoleacetonitrile. The extract from the fruiting bodies also contained tryptamine. The amounts of individual compounds varied widely, ranging from 0.01 to 17.61 mg/100 g DW in the fruiting bodies, and from 0.01 to 35.34 mg/100 g DW in the biomass from in vitro cultures. The quantitatively dominating compounds included: serotonin (17.61 and 20.49 mg/100 g DW, respectively) and kynurenine sulfate (3.62 and 35.34 mg/100 g DW). In addition, the material from in vitro cultures contained a considerable amount of 5-hydroxytryptophan (12.52 mg/100 g DW). The levels of the remaining indole compounds under analysis: L-tryptophan, melatonin, indole, 5-methyltryptophan, and indoleacetonitrile in the material under study were low, below 1 mg/100 g DW.