Search

Mineral composition among mushroom species may be similar or significantly different. It is accepted that mushroom species are one of the main determinants of their varying efficiency of accumulating mineral elements. The aim of this study was to establish whether this statement is accurate and what role the mushroom genus may play. For this purpose, fruit bodies of 5 species belonging to the Lactarius genus and 4 species belonging to Russula genus were collected from a forest area as small as compatible with similar chemical soil characteristics. In total, 4 major (Ca, K, Mg, Na) and 33 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Cd, Ce, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hf, Hg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn, Zr) were determined. Generally, species belonging to the Lactarius genus contained a higher content of major elements compared to Russula. The obtained results reveal a similarity in the mineral profile of the studied mushrooms within each individual genus. Moreover, within each mushroom genus, a specific species with significantly higher element(s) content was observed, suggesting that both the mushroom species and genera may play an essential role in modulating element accumulation from soil to soil fruit bodies. Due to the fact that collected mushrooms grew in close proximity to trees, we were able to confirm that the presence of Fagus sylvatica might stimulate the accumulation of toxic elements in Lactarius vellereus bodies. [Display omitted] • Mineral composition of Lactarius and Russula mushroom species were studied. • Species of genus Lactarius contained higher level of major elements than Russula. • Similarity in mineral profile between mushrooms of the particular genera were observed. • Higher accumulation of elements may depend on species and genus. • Fagus sylvatica may stimulate toxic elements accumulation in Lactarius vellereus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1979 world production of mushrooms has increased almost 10-fold, but it is not known whether the mineral composition profile of fruit bodies has changed over time and if so, what the patterns of changes are. This work attempts to determine alterations in the mineral composition of Agaricus bisporus produced in Poland in the years 1977–2020. The obtained results indicated a general decrease in the content of most of the analysed elements, which was most likely associated with changes in the growing substrate (horse manure in the first years, followed by the production of compost containing straw and poultry manure). The observed alterations in the content of elements in around 2010 probably resulted from the introduction of supplements during the optimisation of mushroom cultivation. Consuming A. bisporus fruiting bodies produced in Poland has never caused a risk to human health or life. Despite fluctuations in the content of elements in selected years, the results indicate a gradual reduction in the content, especially of nonessential and toxic trace elements. The results obtained from the archival and unique research material reflect current cultivation trends described by changes in the mineral profile of white button mushroom production. [Display omitted] • Content of 45 elements in Agaricus bisporus between 1977 and 2020 in Poland is reported. • Intake of mushrooms from Polish producers was not associated with health risk. • Despite diverse mineral profile a general decrease of element contents was observed. • The high content of elements was most likely the result of using horse manure. • Changes in the mineral profile are an effect of using supplements in compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern food production accounts for over 25% of human greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly from animal-related products. Climate change calls for transforming food and feed industries. Edible insects are attracting attention as an alternative low-carbon footprint source of protein. However, questions remain about their total nutritional value and some safety issues. This study analyzed the content of essential, toxic, and rare earth elements (REEs) in insect-based food and feed products commercially available in the European Union. In general, the content of macro- and microelements decreased in the following order: K>Na>P>Ca>Mg, and Zn>Fe>Cu>Mn>Mo>Se>Cr>Co. The highest mineral content was found in products based on house cricket. The level of toxic elements was below the allowance thresholds in foodstuffs. Increased content of Al and Pb was found in feed based on yellow mealworm (18.6 and 10.3 mg/100 g, respectively). REEs were not abundant (median 6.6 µg/100 g). The highest content of REEs was observed in feed products (133 µg/100 g). These results demonstrate that insect-based food can have favourable mineral content with low metal, metalloid, and REEs contamination levels, not posing any safety concerns. However, their elevated content in a single feed product advocates for further studies to understand the potential risk of introducing toxic elements into the food chain. • Essential, toxic and rare earth elements were analyzed in insect-based products. • Products based on house cricket had the highest mineral density. • All tested foodstuffs were deemed safe for human consumption. • The content of rare earth elements was low. • Increased contents of Pb and Al were found in insect-based animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the first and Poland the fifth the greatest producers of cultivated mushrooms worldwide. Because new species are being domesticated and gaining popularity there is a need to study their biological activities and chemical composition. In this study, a multi-elemental analysis was conducted on 14 culinary and/or medicinal mushroom species cultivated in China and Poland, all of which were available in German and Polish oriental and internet shops ( Agaricus bisporus , Amauroderma rude , Auricularia auricula-judae , Auricularia nigricans, Ganoderma lucidum , Lentinula edodes, Lignosus rhinocerus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis , Pleurotus ostreatus , Sparassis crispa, Tremella fuciformis, Wolfiporia cocos and Volvariella volvacea ). Overall, the contents of 5 macroelements and 31 trace elements were quantified. The studied mushrooms varied widely in their content of both essential and toxic deleterious elements. A. rude was found to contain the highest content of toxic deleterious elements Al, As and Pt. Platinum content was of particular concern as it exceeded 7 mg kg ö1 dry matter. The studied mushrooms were generally found to contain higher amounts of Pt, Ni (particularly W . cocos ), and rare-earth elements Er and Nd (particularly V. volvacea ) than reported in many literature data. The study generally concludes that the levels of various elements in the analysed mushrooms are not toxic, although further attention should be paid to reducing Ni levels in commercial mushrooms available as culinary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Agaricus genus comprises several commercially cultivated edible species, with A. bisporus being unambiguously the most important mushroom in this regard worldwide. The aim of study was to evaluate the content of 62 elements in fruit bodies of cultivated A. bisporus (brown and white strains), A. arvensis and A . subrufescens available on the Polish market during 2007–2015. Overall, 26 elements were detected in every sample, the content of 25 elements was above the concentration 0.01 mg kg −1 in only some percentage of samples, while contents of Au, Be, Co, Dy, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Li, Sm, Tb and Yb were below 0.01 mg kg −1 . As demonstrated using heatmaps, the variability of elemental composition was the lowest in A. bisporus and the greatest in A. subrufescens . Generally, A. bisporus was also characterized by the lowest content of potentially toxic elements such as Al, As and Cd (3.0 ± 1.2; 0.63 ± 0.37 and 0.36 ± 0.47 mg kg −1 dry matter, respectively). All in all, the present study offers the broadest insight to date into the elemental composition of Agaricus mushrooms cultivated for human consumption, and further indicates that cultivation of A. bisporus is highly standardized compared to other species. It is worth pointing out that toxic element content in the studied mushrooms was generally considered low and safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) exposures represent a significant worldwide health issue. At the same time its content in cultivated mushrooms is not effectively regulated. The present study investigated how substrate contamination with Hg (0.1–0.5 mM) affects its accumulation in stipes and caps of Agaricus bisporus E58, Pleurotus ostreatus H195 and Hericium erinaceus HE01, mushroom growth and composition of macronutrients. The greatest Hg accumulation was demonstrated for caps. Generally, Hg uptake increased in a concentration-dependent manner and exceeded 44 mg kg −1 ( P. ostreatus ), 116 mg kg −1 ( A. bisporus ) and 53 mg kg −1 ( H. ercinaceus ) in caps after 0.5 mM was added to the substrate. Importantly, an increase in Hg accumulation was also significant and potentially hazardous for human health at the lowest assayed concentration. A. bisporus and P. ostreatus revealed high resistance to Hg and declined its biomass only at 0.4 and 0.5 mM concentration. The presence of Hg did not alter the macronutrient composition (total carbohydrates, proteins and fats). These results highlight the significant role of proper substrate selection in mushroom cultivation to avoid exposing consumers to harmful Hg levels and further health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Content of 37 elements in mushrooms cultivated in 2009–2017 in Poland is reported. • Increased content of As in A. bisporus, P. ostreatus and L. edodes raise concerns. • No significant increase of other trace elements in fruit bodies was recorded. • bisporus is a valuable source of K, P, Cu, Fe and Se. • bisporus contain a beneficial Na:K ratio (1:76). Agaricus bisporus , Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes are the most commercially important mushroom species cultivated for human consumption. This study compared the content of major elements (ME) and trace elements (TE) in fruiting bodies of these three mushrooms available on the Polish market between 2009 and 2017. It demonstrates that the studied mushrooms, particularly A. bisporus , can be a valuable source of macro- and micro-nutrients such as K, P, Cu, Fe and Se (means: 28,500; 6150; 14.3; 49.3 and 2.59 mg kg dry weoght, respectively) and contain a beneficial Na/K ratio (1:76). The mushrooms were not found to contain increased levels of toxic metals with the ominous exception of As, levels of which were found to be elevated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]