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The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is a staple of many types of cuisine, prized for its mild flavours and an aroma vaguely reminiscent of anise. These cream-coloured mushrooms are one of several types of carnivorous fungi that feed on nematodes.
These fungi have evolved a novel mechanism to paralyse and kill their prey: a toxin contained within lollipop-like structures called toxocysts that, when emitted, cause widespread cell death of nematodes within minutes. Scientists have now identified the specific volatile organic compound responsible for this effect, according to a new paper published in the Journal of Science Advances.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ade4809
