It is part of a group of toxins called amatoxins, which can be found in several mushrooms belonging to the genus Amanita.

Some examples are the death cap (Amanita phalloides) and members of the destroying angel complex, which includes A. virosa and A. bisporigera.

[2] β-Amanitin may cause irritation of the respiratory tract, headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, coughing, insomnia, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disturbances, back pain, urinary frequency, liver and kidney damage, or death if ingested or inhaled.

[2] Persons with pre-existing skin, eye, or central nervous systems disorders, impaired liver, kidney, or pulmonary function may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance.

[5] Due to its lethality and its widespread presence in the genus Amanita, which is found across the globe, β-Amanitin has been extensively studied in the field of protein biochemistry.

The slurry created was homogenized further to break open any intact cells, and after this a brown syrup extract containing the toxins was collected.