Simple method for reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of fungal pigments in fruit-bodies of Boletales (Fungi)

A reversed-phase HPLC method has been developed for the analysis of hydroxylated pulvinic acid derivatives which are responsible for the pigmentation of fruit-bodies belonging to the order Boletales (Fungi). Variegatic, xerocomic and atromentic acid as well as variegatorubin were detected and separated in methanolic extracts of Boletus permagnificus and Xerocomus parasiticus, and the pigment profile of these species was compared. The identity of the pigments was confirmed by means of LC–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry.