Fluorescent cyclic decapeptides, the so-called cortinarins, have been claimed to cause the toxicity of the deadly poisonous mushroom Cortinarius speciosissimus. As the structure elucidation described in the literature is doubtful in decisive parts, the proposed structures must be disputed. The present study demonstrates that the fluorescence is mainly due to ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (8) and to photodecomposition products of the nephrotoxin orellanine (1). Moreover, we were not able to reproduce the isolation of fluorescent or any other cyclic peptides related to cortinarins from C. speciosissimus, by various methods.

Natural waxes have been used by mankind since prehistoric times. Many uses of wax are based on the imitation of its natural functions. Waxes in nature primarily serve to provide protective barriers on the surfaces of living organisms. Their functions are also determined by wax characteristics such as adhesion and cohesion, as well as slip and deformation effects. In ancient times, for example, wax seals were used to help preserve food and beverages. Beeswax has remained an important material for manufacturing candles up to the present day. Recent vegetable waxes have been used in industry since the mid‐nineteenth century, for example in care products. Refined and chemically processed montan‐based waxes are quite similar to naturally occurring vegetable ester waxes in their structure and application characteristics. They are similar in their environmental characteristics and are also nontoxic. Crude montan wax itself belongs to the naturally occurring waxes of vegetable origin such as candelilla wax and carnauba wax.

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