Accumulation and distribution of metallic elements and metalloids in edible Amanita fulva mushrooms.

Baseline concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V, U and Zn were presented in Amanita fulva collected from unpolluted areas in Poland. There is no previous data published on the bio-element constituents of A. fulva. A very narrow range of values was determined by ICP-DRC-MS and ICP-AES for the trace elements Ag, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Rb, Sr, Tl and Zn in caps and of Ag, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr, U and Zn in stipes and also for the macro elements K, P, Na and Mg. The fruitbodies of A. fulva from the northern (Baltic Sea coastal forests) and southwestern (Lower Silesia forests) sites differed substantially in cadmium, lead and uranium, and those from the Lower Silesia region showed them in greater concentrations. This observation may imply that A. fulva under typical geochemical site conditions is able to regulate the accumulation of many of the elements mentioned in fruiting bodies.

Investigation on mineral composition and accumulation by popular edible mushroom common chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius).

In this study accumulation, content and multivariate relationship of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, P, Rb, Sr and Zn in Cantharellus cibarius and topsoil collected from four places of Central and Northeastern Poland were investigated. Mercury was determined using cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy and other elements by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to examine the interdependences between 20 elements sequestered in fruit bodies by C. cibarius and in the soil substratum. Fruit bodies of Common Chanterelle from all places investigated can be considered as relatively abundant in essential elements such as: K, P, Mg, Na, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Co. This mushroom effectively accumulates Rb, K, P, Cu, Cd, Ag, Na and Zn from the soil substratum, while Al, Ba, Cr, Fe and Pb are excluded.

Distribution of mercury in Amanita fulva (Schaeff.) Secr. mushrooms: Accumulation, loss in cooking and dietary intake.

Representative individual specimens and pooled samples of carpophores of edible wild-grown fungus Amanita fulva (Schaeff.) Secr. and forest topsoil layer (0-10 cm) beneath the carpophores were collected from 15 spatially distant places in Poland and examined for total Hg. The median values of Hg in soils for most of the sites were below 0.05 mgkg(-1) dry matter. The ability of fungus A. fulva to bioconcentrate Hg was low (BCF, bioconcentration factor values of 1.2-3.6 for caps and 0.66-1.7 for stipes) at five sites that showed Hg in soils ranging from 0.066 to 0.21 mgkg(-1) dry matter, while much higher bioconcentration (BCF of 11-25 for caps and 7.0-12 for stipes) were observed for less contaminated soils with Hg contents of 0.018-0.054mgkg(-1) dry matter. Differences were also observed in Hg contamination of A. fulva from spatially and distantly distributed sites, and the median values (mgkg(-1) dry matter) ranged from 0.13 to 0.67 for caps and from 0.065 to 0.34 for stipes, while 0.63mgkg(-1) dry matter was observed in a set of whole fruiting bodies. Boiling of fresh A. fulva for 10min reduced the Hg content by 10%. A meal of A. fulva containing 0.065mgkg(-1) of Hg in the fresh mushroom product will not result in exceeding the reference dose set for inorganic Hg and for majority of the sites assessed (>90%) intake was substantially lower than the reference dose or the provisional tolerable weekly intake of inorganic Hg.

Macro and trace elements in Common Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) mushroom from the European background areas in Poland: Composition, accumulation, dietary exposure and data review for species.

This paper gives an up-to-date information on accumulation, occurrence, intake and possible health risks associated with noxious metallic elements (Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb) among mineral constituents (Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn) contained in Common Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) mushrooms, a species subjected to a broad use within the domestic market of Poland and widely exported abroad, and presents a short review of data from the available literature. The tasty values of C. cibarius seem to be more rated than the essential minerals contained in its flesh and nominally taken with 1,000 g of fresh fruiting bodies eaten per capita annually, while the contents of toxic or potentially toxic metals, such as Cd, Pb, Hg and Ag, are much below the tolerance limits.

Mercury in the Grisette, Amanita vaginata Fr. and soil below the fruiting bodies.

This study examined the mercury concentration in the Grisette Amanita vaginata Fr. and soil below the fruiting bodies collected between 2000 and 2008 from the wild at seven distant sites across Poland. The Hg content in samples was determined by cold atomic absorption method (CV-AAS) at a wavelength of 253.7 nm. Mean Hg contents varied from 0.096 ± 0.052 to 0.48 ± 0.13 mg kg(-1) dry matter (dm) in caps (range, 0.043-0.73 mg kg(-1)), from 0.047 ± 0.02 to 0.23 ± 0.07 mg kg(-1) dm (range, 0.028-0.47 mg kg(-1)) in stipes, and in underlying soil were from 0.035 ± 0.018 to 0.096 ± 0.036 mg kg(-1) dm (range, 0.017 to 0.16 mg kg(-1)). The median Qc/s values ranged from 1.2 to 2.2 (mean 1.2 ± 0.4 to 2.1 ± 0.5) indicating that Hg content in stipes was generally lower than in caps. This mushroom species has some potential to bioconcentrate Hg in the fruiting bodies, as the values of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied for the sites between 1.2 ± 0.6 to 11 ± 5 for caps and 0.61 ± 0.26 to 7.4 ± 3.9 for stipes. Also available literature data on Hg in A. vaginata are reviewed and discussed.

Mercury in fruiting bodies of dark honey fungus (Armillaria solidipes) and beneath substratum soils collected from spatially distant areas.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports data on bioconcentration potential and baseline mercury concentrations of fruiting bodies of dark honey fungus (Armillaria solidipes) Peck and soil substrate layer (0-10 cm) from 12 spatially distant sites across Poland. Mercury content of caps, stipes and soil samples were determined using validated analytical procedure including cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy after thermal decomposition of the sample matrix and further amalgamation and desorption of mercury from gold wool. RESULTS: Mean mercury concentrations ranged from 20 ± 8 to 300 ± 70 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw) in caps, from 20 ± 6 to 160 ± 40 ng g(-1) dw in stipes, and in underlying soil were from 20 ± 2 to 100 ± 130 ng g(-1) dw. The results showed that stipes mercury concentrations were 1.1- to 1.7-fold lower than those of caps. All caps and the majority of stipes were characterized by bioconcentration factor values > 1, indicating that dark honey fungus can be characterized as a moderate mercury accumulator. CONCLUSION: Occasional or relatively frequent eating of meals including caps of dark honey fungus is considered safe in view of the low total mercury content, and the mercury intake rates are below the current reference dose and provisionally tolerable weekly intake limits for this hazardous metal.

Occurrence and accumulation of mercury in two species of wild grown Pleurotus mushrooms from Southeastern Nigeria.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of contamination and intake rates, as well as the risk of Hg contained in two wild species of Pleurotus mushrooms--Oyster Mushroom (P. ostreatus) and King Tuber Mushroom (P. tuber-regium)--which are widely consumed in southeastern Nigeria; and to also assess their potential to accumulate Hg. The mean Hg concentrations in caps of P. ostreatus from distant sites of Ekeoba, Ntigha, and Ubakala in Abia State, were 31±11, 28±8, and 29±5 ng g(-1) dry weight, respectively; while the mean concentrations for stipes were 37±5, 36±17, and 28±6 ng g(-1) dw, in the respective communities. The caps and stipes were characterized by a mean bioconcentration factor value of ∼2, indicating that P. ostreatus is a very weak Hg accumulator and probably takes in Hg solely from the wooden substratum. Sclerotia of P. tuber-regium, purchased from five different regional markets: Ukwunwangwu (Uturu), Ekeama (Umuobiala), and Ahonta (Eluama) of Abia State; and from Abakpa market and Eke-Okigwe of Imo State; contained Hg in total range of 3.3 to 180 ng g(-1) dw. A meal consisting of 300 g of caps and stipes of P. ostreatus, or of fresh sclerotia of P. tuber-regium, would expose a consumer to <1.2, and between 0.39 and 1.2 µg Hg, respectively; and, if eaten daily for a week, would contribute less than 0.03%, and between 0.76% and 2.3% of the provisionally tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The consumption of P. ostreatus and sclerotia of P. tuber-regium harvested from the areas investigated, therefore, poses no toxicological or health risks to the inhabitants.

Comparison of two acid extraction methods for determination of minerals in soils beneath to Larch Bolete (Suillus grevillei) and aimed to estimate minerals sequestration potential in fruiting bodies.

In this study a two simple and one-step extraction methods were compared for the evaluation of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn accessibility in the soils to Larch Boletes (Suillus grevillei) mushrooms. Determination of chemical elements examined was by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The extractable amounts of minerals from soil when analyzed by both extraction methods (25 % nitric acid "v/v" and 0.43 mol/L acetic acid solutions) correlated significantly with minerals content of Larch Bolete's fruiting bodies. Nitric acid solution used has shown its better capacity as stronger extractor elements than acetic acid. Nevertheless, the Larch Bolete more efficiently take-ups many metallic elements from soil (and sequester them in fruiting bodies), when compared to a leaching potential of both reagents examined, while for some elements availability seem to be limited or take-up and translocation is actively regulated by the mycelium. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Environmental Science and Health: Part A to view the free supplemental file.

Mercury in Red Aspen Boletes (Leccinum aurantiacum) mushrooms and the soils.

This communication reports data on the mercury contents of Red Aspen Boletes (Leccinum aurantiacum) mushrooms and the forest soils substrate layer (0-10 cm) underneath the fruit bodies collected from nine spatially distant sites across Poland. Total Hg concentration in soil substrate in seven of the nine sites studied varied from 0.0078 ± 0.0012 to 0.028 ± 0.007 µg/g dry weight (dw) and this could be considered baseline concentrations for uncontaminated forest soils in Poland. The arithmetic mean of mercury in Red Aspen Bolete caps varied, depending on the site from 0.27 ± 0.07 to 1.3 ± 0.6 µg/g dw. The lowest Hg contents in soil (0.011 ± 0.006 µg/g and 0.009 ± 0.002 µg/g) were observed for the sites of Wandalin and Opole Lubelskie (from Lubelska Upland region) with the corresponding highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) values of 130 ± 66 and 110 ± 13 for the mushroom caps and 58 ± 29 and 64 ± 8 for the stipes, respectively. The BCF values in caps showed a downward trend with increasing mercury content of soil. A meal of 300 g of fresh caps of Red Aspen Bolete from Aleksandrów Kujawski region could expose a consumer to 8.1 µg Hg, while this will be 39 µg at the Lubelska Upland amounting to 39 and 186 % of daily Hg reference dose, respectively.

Mercury in Yellow-cracking Boletes Xerocomus subtomentosus mushrooms and soils from spatially diverse sites: assessment of bioconcentration potential by species and human intake.

This study investigated the Hg concentrations in Yellow-cracking Boletes Xerocomus subtomentosus mushrooms and beneath soils collected from the wild at twelve sites across Poland. This mushroom species has some potential to bioconcentrate Hg in the fruiting bodies, and the amount of Hg sequestered, depending on geographical location, can pose health risk to consumers. The values of Hg bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied for the sites between 0.80 ± 0.20 and 17 ± 12 in caps and 0.50 ± 0.10 and 7.9 ± 6.6 in stipes of fruiting bodies but decreased as soil Hg content increased from 72 ± 32 to 570 ± 130 ng/g dry weight. The specimens collected from minerals rich area of Zlotoryja contained the highest Hg concentration, which reached 630 ± 400 in caps and 420 ± 260 ng/g dw in stipes, while the lowest observed Hg concentrations at the other sites were 72 ± 32 and 57 ± 13 ng/g, for cap and stipes respectively. Available literature data on Hg in Yellow-cracking Boletes was also up-dated.

Mercury in Russula mushrooms: Bioconcentration by Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills Russula ochroleuca.

The purpose of this study was to examine the contamination and bioconcentration potential of mercury (Hg) in Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills known also as Yellow-ocher Brittle Gill or Common Russula (Russula ochroleuca) mushroom. Matured fruiting bodies of this fungus and soil samples were collected at ten spatially distant unpolluted sites in the northern part of Poland in 2004-2008. Total Hg content of fruiting bodies and soil were determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). The total Hg content of the Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills varied between 0.017 and 0.43 µg/g dry weights in individual caps and between 0.011 and 0.24 µg/g dw in the stipes. The mean mercury content of the mushroom varied spatially (p < 0.001) between the sites - in caps between 0.039 ± 0.024 and 0.18 ± 0.11 µg/g dw; and in stipes between 0.027 ± 0.014 and 0.13 ± 0.06 µg/g dw. The caps usually contained Hg in greater concentrations than stipes and the mean values of cap to stipe Hg concentration quotient (Q(c/s)) varied from 1.3 ± 0.4 to 1.9 ± 0.04. The range of Hg concentrations in the top soil layer (0-10 cm) varied from 0.011 to 0.51 µg/g dw (mean values varied between 0.025 ± 0.010 and 0.18 ± 0.13 µg/g dw). Mean Hg bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied between 0.57 ± 0.30 and 5.6 ± 1.7 for caps and 0.50 ± 0.49 and 3.3 ± 1.8 for stipes. Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills from Trójmiejski Landscape Park contained Hg at greater concentration compared to other sites. Also presented is a review of data on Hg contents of the genus Russula (41 species, both edible and inedible to man) collected from across the world.

Levels and sources of planar and non-planar PCBs in pine needles across Poland.

Under a small project, one-year-old Scots Pine needles collected from 25 spatially distant sites were examined in monitoring the extent of environmental diffusion and possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in ambient air, their depositions and uptake by plants in Poland. The congener-specific determination of planar and non-planar chlorobiphenyls was achieved by isotope dilution HRGC-HRMS method after a highly refined extraction on multi-layer column of silica gel and alumina layer and clean-up, and fractionations, followed by Hypercarb-HPLC and PYE-HPLC sub-fractionation steps. Contents of 117 chlorobiphenyls determined in pine needles varied for the 25 sites studied and is between 2.7 and 49 ng/g wet weight. The PCBs pollution and congener-specific composition of pine needles to some degree varied according to the site or region surveyed depending on population density and industrialization. Many of the country-side areas showed lower concentrations between 2.7 and 8.9 ng/g ww. Pine needles in areas close to well populated and industrial regions of Opole, Kutno, Wloclawek and Debica showed the highest PCB pollution with concentrations varying between 30 and 49 ng/g ww. The Kutno site showed the highest pollution and this fact probably can be explained by possible emission from transformer manufactures located at some distance west of the Kutno area. Factor analysis (FA) and depending on the site revealed on relationship of PCBs composition of pine needles both with highly chlorinated PCB constituents of the mixtures such as Chlorofen, Aroclor 1254, Aroclor 1268 and Sovol but also of lower chlorinated PCB constituents of Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1248, Clophen A40 or Delor 103. Thermal processes were considered a less significant source of PCBs in ambient air over Poland compared to evaporative sources related to technical PCB formulations. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Environmental Science and Health: Part A to view the free supplemental file.

Mercury in European Blushers, Amanita rubescens, mushrooms and topsoils: bioconcentration potential and intake assessment.

Total mercury content has been determined in fruiting bodies of European Blushers and topsoils collected from 11 sites across Poland in 2006-2008. Mercury analysis was carried out using a validated analytical method and cold-vapour atomic absorption (CV-AAS). The European Blusher effectively accumulated mercury in fruiting bodies. The mean values of total mercury in caps of European Blushers from background (uncontaminated) areas were from 0.22 to 1.0 (0.067-3.2) and in stipes from 0.16 to 0.65 (0.071-2.7) µg/g dry weight. In topsoil beneath to fruiting bodies, the median Hg concentration at 10 sites in Northern Poland varied between 0.030 and 0.072 (0.0096-0.19) µg/g dw, and in one site in Southern Poland was 0.20 (0.079-0.34) µg/g dw. Data on Hg in European Blushers from different countries were reviewed. The mean concentrations of total Hg in caps of European Blushers from two "pristine" sites in northern part of Poland were ∼1.0 µg/g dw. A meal made with 300-500 g of fresh caps of European Blushers collected at such sites (assuming 90% water content in caps) can result in Hg intake of 0.0003-0.0005 mg Hg/kg bm (assuming a 60 kg bm), which is a dose equipotent to a new provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value set for inorganic Hg.

Cooking can decrease mercury contamination of a mushroom meal: Cantharellus cibarius and Amanita fulva.

Mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius and Amanita fulva) were blanched (parboiled) and pickled using different treatment conditions with the aim of carrying out the study into effect on removal of toxic mercury (Hg) accumulated in flesh. Blanching of fresh sliced C. cibarius caused leaching of Hg by approximately 15%, while loss of up to 35% was observed for sliced, deep-frozen fruit bodies. The rate of Hg leaching from the C. cibarius in practice was the same when blanched for 5 or 15 min irrespective of potable or deionized water used. Pickling of blanched C. cibarius with a diluted vinegar marinade had only a minor, if any, effect on removal of Hg and was without effect on blanched caps of A. fulva. Mercury was better extracted by boiling water from the fresh caps of A. fulva (56 ± 2% of the initial level in fresh caps) than from the fresh or frozen fruit bodies of C. cibarius. Total leaching rate of Hg from a pickled C. cibarius when fresh fruit bodies were processed was between 15 ± 5 and 37 ± 7% (median range 13-34%), and when deep-frozen fruit bodies were processed, it was between 37 ± 7 and 39 ± 8% (median range 34-39%). Pickling of the caps of A. fulva with diluted vinegar did not increase leaching of Hg. Blanching of mushrooms before future culinary use is a simple procedure recommended in reduction of contamination with Hg of cooked mushroom meal. Pickling had little if any effect on further removal of Hg from the initially blanched mushrooms.

Pickling of chanterelle Cantharellus cibarius mushrooms highly reduce cadmium contamination.

Mushrooms are considered as potential bio-remediation agents in soil polluted with heavy metals, while many species which efficiently accumulate them in flesh are edible. Question is if there is any possible culinary use of edible mushrooms with high heavy metal contents? This study aimed to investigate and discuss a fate of cadmium (Cd) in common household-treated fruitbodies of common chanterelle Cantharellus cibarius. The samples of Cantharellus cibarius Fr. were collected from five spatially distanced sites in Poland in 2011-2012. We examined from 267 to 358 fruiting bodies per collection, and in total 1565 fruiting bodies were used. Cadmium in fungal materials from all treatments and processes (mushrooms dried, deep frozen, blanched and pickled) was determined using validated methods by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with dynamic reaction cell. Blanching of fresh chanterelles caused decrease of Cd by around 11 ± 7 to 36 ± 7%, while blanching of deep-frozen mushrooms by around 40 ± 6%. A rate of Cd decrease in chanterelles was similar when the fruiting bodies were blanched for 5 or 15 min and when used was potable or deionized water. Pickling of blanched chanterelles with a diluted vinegar marinade had a pronounced effect on further removal of Cd. Blanched chanterelles when pickled lost an extra 37-71% of Cd. Total leaching rate of Cd from fresh or deep-frozen fruitbodies of chanterelle when blanched and further pickled was between 77 ± 7 and 91 ± 4%. Blanching and pickling highly decreased content of Cd in C. cibarius.

Toxic elements and bio-metals in Cantharellus mushrooms from Poland and China.

Data on multi-trace element composition and content relationships have been obtained for Cantharellus cibarius, C. tubaeformis, and C. minor mushrooms from Poland and China by inductive coupled plasma-dynamic reaction cell-mass spectroscopy. There is no previous data published on As, Li, V, Tl, and U in chanterelles from Poland and on Ba, Co, Cr, Ni, Rb, and Sr in chanterelles from China. The results implied a role of the soil background geochemistry at the collection site with the occurrence of Ag, As, Ba, Cr, Cs, Li, Mn, Pb, Rb, Sr, U, and V in the fruiting bodies. Both geogenic Cd and anthropogenic Cd can contribute in load of this element in chanterelles from the Swietokrzyskie Mts. region in Poland, while geogenic source can be highly dominant in the background areas of Yunnan. An essentiality of Cu and Zn and effort by mushroom to maintain their physiological regulation could be reflected by data for Cantharellus mushrooms from both regions of the world, but its geogenic source (and possibly anthropogenic) can matter also in the region of the Swietokrzyskie Mountains in Poland. The elements Co, Ni, and Tl were at the same order of magnitude in contents in C. cibarius in Poland and Yunnan, China. C. tubaeformis differed from C. cibarius by a lower content of correlated Co, Ni, and Zn. Soil which is polymetallic and highly weathered in Yunnan can be suggested as a natural geogenic source of greater concentrations of As, Ba, Cr, Li, Pb, Sr, U, and V in the chanterelles there while lower of Mn and Rb, when related to chanterelles in Poland. A difference in Cs content between the sites can be attributed as an effect of the 137Cs release from the Chernobyl accident, in which Poland was much more affected than Yunnan, where deposition was negligible.

Evaluation of the activity concentrations of (137) Cs and (40)K in some Chanterelle mushrooms from Poland and China.

The activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (40)K in mushrooms of the genus Cantharellus (Cantharellus cibarius, Cantharellus tubaeformis, and Cantharellus minor) collected across Poland from 1997 to 2013 and in Yunnan province of China in 2013 were determined using gamma spectrometry with an HPGe detector, respectively. Activity concentrations of (137)Cs in C. cibarius from the places in Poland varied from 64 ± 3 to 1600 ± 47 Bq kg(-1) db in 1997-2004 and 4.2 ± 1.2 to 1400 ± 15 Bq kg(-1) db in 2006-2013. In the Chinese Cantharellus mushrooms, the activity level of (137)Cs was very low, i.e., at a range <1.2 to 1.2 ± 0.6 Bq kg(-1) dry biomass. The natural radionuclide (40)K was at similar activity level in C. cibarius collected across Poland and in China, and fluctuations in levels of (40)K over the years and locations in Poland were small. In C. cibarius from diverse sites in Poland, content of (137)Cs highly fluctuated in 1998-2013 but no clear downward trend was visible (Fig. 1). Published activity levels of (137)Cs in fruitbodies of Cantharellus such Cantharellus californicus, Cantharellus cascadensis, C. cibarius, Cantharellus cinnabarius, Cantharellus formosus, Cantharellus iuteocomus, Cantharellus lutescens, Cantharellus minor, Cantharellus pallens [current name C. cibarius], Cantharellus subalbidus, Cantharellus subpruinosus, and C. tubaeformis collected worldwide were compared. In the Polish cuisine, mushrooms of the genus Cantharellus are blanched before frying or pickling, and this kind of treatment, and additionally also pickling, both very efficiently remove alkali elements (and radioactivity from (134/137)Cs) from flesh of the species.