Analysis of indole compounds in Armillaria mellea fruiting bodies.

A TLC method with densitometric detection for identification and quantitation of indole compounds in methanolic extracts of fruiting bodies of Armillaria mellea (Vahl.) P. Kumm. (Basidiomycota)--Honey mushroom has been developed. The TLC method with densitometric detection was validated for determination of tryptamine and serotonin contents. The use of this chromatographic-densitometric method for analysis of extracts allowed for a precise, easy and quick determination of the compounds under study. We identified three physiologically active indole compounds: tryptamine. L- tryptophan and serotonin. This analysis demonstrated the highest contents of L-tryptophan (4.467 mg/100 g d.w.). The contents of tryptamine were comparable with the contents of serotonin and amounted to: 2.740 and 2.207 mg/100 g d. w.