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The white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach is an edible mushroom of top economic significance. In recent years the consumption of fruiting bodies of this species has been increasing in Poland. The article characterises the chemical composition and health-promoting properties of white button mushrooms. The latest scientific research confirms that the fruiting bodies of white button mushroom have high nutritional value. They contain good quality proteins, necessary unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, some vitamins and numerous minerals. Apart from that, white button mushroom fruiting bodies contain a wide range of bioactive substances, which have a positive influence on health, such as polysaccharides, glyco-proteins, tocopherols, polyphenols and other antioxidants, e.g. ergothioneine. Apart from the antioxidant properties, the white button mushroom also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and anti-atherosclerotic activities.

• 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]