Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 29-30/2. (2010)

Short communications

THE PREOCCUPATION OF THE “MÁLNÁSSY LÁSZLÓ” MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY FROM TÁRGU-MURE§ REGARDING THE POPULARIZATION

OF MACROMYCETES

András MÁLNÁS I

Societatea de Micologie “Málnássy László” Tärgu-Mure$, Aleea Carpati nr. 39A/9, RO-540296 Tárgu-Murej, Romania

Abstract: The “Málnássy László” Mycological Society was founded in Targu-Mure§ in 2005. Its founders were initially members of the other two mycological societies (in Ia§i and Sfántu Gheorghe). The society’s main preoccupations are: scientific research in the field of mushrooms, education of the population regarding mushrooms, use of mushrooms in alimentation, due to their healthy nutritional value, development and practice of activities concerning the prevention of mushroom intoxications.

Keywords: macromycetes, education of the population.

The branch of the natural sciences that studies mushrooms is called mycology. Those specialists who study these organisms are the mycologists. They can be professionals with or without doctorate or amateurs. These specialists work in education, hospitals or other sanitary institutions, in food industry or in pharmaceutical industry. In these areas further studies about mushrooms, especially those microscopic ones, called micromycetes, are compulsory. On the other hand, amateurs are passionate about bigger mushrooms, called macromycetes, which grow in fields, forests, parks or other places. Most of these mushrooms are edible; however, there are some that are toxic or deadly poisonous.

In Romania there are three mycological associations registered, one in Ia§i, one in Tärgu- Mure§ and one in Sfántu Gheorghe, formed of professionals and amateurs with the following preoccupations: thoroughgoing study of mushrooms, to inform people about the benefits of eating mushrooms and preventing people from getting intoxicated with mushrooms.

InTärgu-Murej mycological preoccupations started in the 18th century, when the famous doctor K. Mátyus István in his monograph of 6 volumes, “O és Új Diaetetica' assigned a whole chapter to mushroom diet. He described several species of macromycetes, including first aid in case of poisonings. In 1972 was published the “Ms gombáskönyv” at Dacia Publisher, whose author was Málnássy László from Tärgu-Mure§. The second edition of this book, enlarged and brought up-to-date, appeared in 2003. As a sign of acknowledgement our Mycological Society has been named after him.

In 1991 was formed a Mycological Society within the Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy in Targu-Mures which functioned only a short time. Some of its members transferred to the association in Ia§i, directed by the late prof. univ. Mihai Toma, author of several volumes

M A R I S I A, XXIX-XXX, p. 183-186