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The multi-elemental composition of 4 edible wild-growing mushroom species that commonly occur in Polish forests was compared to 13 cultivated mushroom species available in trade. A considerable variation in the macroelements content was revealed with cultivated species containing higher amounts of macroelements. The mean content of B, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, Pr, Pt, Sb, Sm, Sr, Te, and Tm was higher in cultivated mushroom species, while the opposite was noted for Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg, La, Mo, Sc, and Zn. Selected cultivated forms exhibited increased content of Al (F. velutipes), As (H. marmoreus, F. velutipes), Ni (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, H. marmoreus), and Pb (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, F. velupites, and L. edodes). Wild-growing species, B. boletus, I. badia, and S. bovinus contained high Hg levels, close to or exceeding tolerable intakes. Compared to cultivated mushrooms, they also generally revealed a significantly increased content of Al (with the highest content in B. edulis and I. badia), As and Cd (with the highest content in B. edulis and S. bovinus in both cases). In turn, the cultivated mushrooms were characterized by a higher content of Ni (particularly in A. bisporus) and Pb (with the highest content in P. eryngii). The exposure risks may, however, differ between wild and cultivated mushrooms since the former are consumed seasonally (although in some regions at a high level), while the latter are available throughout the year. Both cultivated and wild-growing mushrooms were found to be a poor source of Ca and Mg, and only a supplemental source of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the human diet. These results suggest that mushrooms collected from the wild or cultivated, should be consumed sparingly. The study advocates for more strict monitoring measures of the content of toxic metals/metalloids in mushrooms distributed as food, preferentially through the establishment of maximum allowance levels not limited only to a few elements and mushroom species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a usage of a new hyphenated technique, wherein a Multi–mode Sample Introduction System (MSIS) was applied as an interface of two high pressure liquid chromatography units and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (2 HPLC–MSIS–ICP–OES). Simultaneous separation and detection of non–hydride forming and hydride forming elements was possible due to the application of two different HPLC column, cation–exchange and anion–exchange respectively. The method was able to determine 15 elements quantitatively with a distinction of three arsenic and two iron species and it was validated obtaining acceptable LODs (2.67–28.7 μg L−1) and recoveries (80–120%). The method applicability was presented and confirmed on 5 varied sample matrix types i.e. post–glacial sediments, yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) , soil samples located in the proximity of industry wastes disposal site, river sediments, and archaeological pottery. In addition to the above, unknown Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn species were detected in real samples (qualitative speciation analysis) and the identification was attempted according to the literature. • The new interface in hyphenated technique has been applied for multielemental analysis. • The hyphenated technique HPLC/HPLC-MSIS-ICP-OES had been optimised and validated. • The application for routine speciation analysis has been elaborated for different matrixes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of substrate supplementation with germanium (Ge) and selenium (Se), alone or combined, on the growth, element accumulation and ergosterol content in the fruiting bodies of the mushroom species Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus. Both species were grown in four independent experimental systems with different concentrations of germanium powder (1, 5 and 10 mM), selenite [Se(IV)] and selenate [Se(VI)] (0.1, 0.4 and 0.8 mM of each Se species). Se supplementation caused no observable changes to morphology while the addition of Ge induced changes in size and/or colour, especially for P. ostreatus. A synergistic effect of Ge supplementation on Se accumulation in fruiting bodies of G. lucidum was observed only at the two highest levels of supplementation with both elements. Even though inorganic Se was used to enrich the experimental substrates, organic Se compounds dominated in the fruiting bodies. Increasing levels of Ge in the substrates elevated the content of organic selenium in the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum. No such trend was recorded in P. ostreatus. The maximum mean Ge levels in P. ostreatus and G. lucidum reached up to 70 and 80 mg kg−1, respectively. However, the bioaccessibility of this element was low, in the range 5.4–6.6% (P. ostreatus) and 0.4–7.6% (G. lucidum). Ergosterol content in the fruiting bodies of both species displayed the highest values in all the experimental systems supplemented with Se. The addition of Ge and Se + Ge resulted in losses of ergosterol content in comparison to cultivation with Se supplementation and control. The obtained results show the significant role of Ge–Se interaction in the accumulation of these elements in the studied mushroom species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tsunami events may have an enormous impact on the functioning of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by altering various relationships with biotic components. Concentrations of acid-leachable fractions of heavy metals and metalloids in soils and plant samples from areas affected by the December 2004 tsunami in Thailand were determined. Ipomoea pes-caprae, a common plant species growing along the seashore of this region, and frequently used in folk medicine, was selected to assess the presence of selected elements. Elevated amounts of Cd, Pb, Zn, and As in soil samples, and Pb, Zn, As, Se, Cr, and Ni in plant samples were determined from the tsunami-impacted regions for comparison with reference locations. The flowers of Ipomoea pes-caprae contained the highest amounts of these metals, followed by its leaves, and stems. In addition, its bioaccumulation factor (BAF) supports this capability of high metal uptake by Ipomoea pes-caprae from the areas affected by the tsunami in comparison with a reference site. This uptake was followed by the translocation of these elements to the various plant components. The presence of these toxic metals in Ipomoea pes-caprae growing in contaminated soils should be a concern of those who use this plant for medicinal purposes. Further studies on the content of heavy metals and metalloids in this plant in relation to human health concerns are recommended. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;9999:1-6. © 2014 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The study of the influence of tsunami deposits on the environment has been provided. [•] The potential release of deposit components to the environment has been shown. [•] The mechanism of changes in content of selected components of tsunami deposit have been shown. [•] The description of this mechanism has been proposed. [•] A pioneer approach to the study of post-depositional changes of metalloids content in deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm was applied to evaluate the geochemical and environmental impact of 26th December 2004 tsunami, based on interelemental and intersite relations of sediment chemistry. The study was carried out based on data sets, including contents of salts (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl and SO4) leached with deionized water, heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in acid leachable fraction, metalloids (As, Sb and Se) in exchangeable fraction, as well as both total Hg and mercury in the form of various species (organomercury, water-soluble, acid-soluble, bound to humic matter and bound to sulfides) in sediment samples. SOM-supported exploration were performed for two separate data sets. The first run was applied for analytical results concerning sediments taken less than 50 days after tsunami event while the second one concerned results obtained for samples collected in the same location one year later, after rainy season. In the case of the “2005-run”, based on mutual linkage, complete set of variables could be conditionally divided into general groups showing of their patterns related to their major source as “salt” and “wastewater.” Classification results revealed natural clusters of sediment samples in relation to their location and to the magnitude of the impact of tsunami wave. Numerous clusters reflect general chemical composition of tsunami sediments while clusters containing isolated sampling locations reflect “site-specific” conditions, partially related to anthropogenic impact. The cleaning effect of the rainy season in Thailand was observed, based on “2006-run” exploaration results. The chemical composition of tsunami sediments was unified for 93% of samples. General patterns related to major source of analytes were analogous compared to the “2005-run.” These studies demonstrate that SOM has the potential to successfully assist the assessment of the environmental impacts of a tsunami disaster and the role of a tsunami sediments as potential carriers of pollution. [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]

Arsenic (As) remediation is challenging due to the complex nature and the persistence of these metalloid compounds. While it may seem that differences between As forms influence have been extensively described, new findings challenge the previously accepted knowledge, particularly for woody plants. Therefore, this study focused on 2-year-old Tilia cordata Mill. seedlings early (0, 2, 4, 12, 24 h) and late (3, 7, 12, 18, 25, 33 days) responses during growth under: As(III), As(V) or dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) (0.3 mM). Time-dependent transformations of As forms, distribution in plants, and microbiological characteristics (actinobacteria, bacteria, fungi, enzyme activity) were investigated. The highest increase in total As content was observed in plants exposed to As(V) and As(III). Dynamic metalloid form changes in the solution and tree organs were indicated. The most phytotoxic was DMA. This form was the main factor limiting the growth and effective accumulation of As. Despite experimenting in hydroponics, microorganisms played an important role in As form transformations, suggesting the potential for microbial-assisted dendroremediation strategies. The study confirmed that trees can convert more toxic forms into less toxic ones (e.g. As(III) to phytochelatins - As(III)-(PC 3)), whose presence in roots seedlings exposed to As(III) and As(V) has been identified. The formation of hydrophobic forms (e.g. dimethylarsinoyl lipid) in the roots of seedlings grown under As(V) was confirmed. It is the first discovery for trees, previously observed only in bacteria and algae. The dynamics of metalloid form changes indicated that T. cordata transforms As forms according to their needs, which may give tree species an advantage in phytoremediation techniques. It holds great promise for the potential of dendroremediation. [Display omitted] • Biotransformation of As forms began at the first hours of tree seedlings growth. • Phytotoxicity for T. cordata seedlings decreased as follows: DMA > As(III) > As(V). • Low concentrations of As(V) in solution stimulated seedlings' biomass increase. • T. cordata seedlings have ability to convert more toxic into less toxic As forms. • First discovery hydrophobic As forms (e.g. dimethylarsinoyl lipid) in tree roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the physiological mechanisms underlying differences in metals and metalloid uptake and tolerance of two tree species cultivated in mining waste material. Two-year old Acer platanoides L. and Tilia cordata Mill. were cultivated in mining sludge characterized by high pH, salinity and an extremely high concentration of As. Both species were able to develop leaves from leafless seedlings, however, their total biomass was greatly reduced in comparison to control plants, following the severe disturbances in chlorophyll content. Phytoextraction abilities were observed for T. cordata for Ba, Nb, Rb and Se, and phytostabilisation was stated for Pd, Ru, Sc and Sm for both species, Ba and Nd for A. platonoides and Be for T. cordata only. Metal exclusion was observed for the majority of detected elements indicating an intense limitation of metal transport to photosynthetic tissue. A diversified uptake of elements was accompanied by a species-specific pattern of physiological reaction during the cultivation in sludge. Organic ligands (glutatnione and low-molecular-weight organic acids) were suppressed in A. platanoides , and enhanced biosynthesis of phenolic compounds was observed for both species, being more pronounced in T. cordata. Despite its higher accumulation of key metabolites for plant reaction to oxidative stress, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and organic ligands, T. cordata exhibited relatively lower tolerance to sludge, probably due to the increased uptake and translocation rate of toxic metal/loids to aerial organs and/or restricted accumulation of salicylic acid which is known to play a decisive role in mechanisms of plant tolerance. Image 1 • Common trees cultivated in mining sludge developed leaves that were able to survive. • Both species suffered severe growth retardation, more pronounced in T. cordata. • Phytostabilization rather than extraction was observed for the majority of elements. • Distinct reaction modes were induced in maple and lime determining their tolerance. • Salicylic acid was a key molecule for higher tolerance of maple to mining sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytoextraction of arsenic (As) is dependent on numerous factors. One such factor is the specific interaction between As and other elements but there are also possible interactions of this metalloid form, present in both substrate and in plants. Thus an estimation was made of As(III), As(V) and cacodylic acid (DMA) phytoextraction in two-years old U . laevis seedlings, growing under diverse ratios of the above mentioned forms in solution. The pot experiment did not reveal any significant diversity in plant biomass growing in different systems, with the exception of DMA present in higher concentrations. However, diversity in phytoextraction of particular As forms and differences in their translocation were observed. All three forms were accumulated mainly in roots. Additionally, As(III) and As(V) were found in both roots and leaves, whereas DMA was only present in roots. The exposure of seedlings to higher concentrations of DMA was directly related to their rapid withering. The higher availability of As(III) or As(V) was generally associated with higher phytoextraction of these forms. Moreover, an increase in the concentration of As(V) in solution brought about the most effective phytoextraction of As(III). DMA was accumulated when As(III) was present in solution, while an adverse effect was observed for As(V). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]