The concentrations of trace element in the mushroom samples collected from the Rhodope region of Bulgaria have been determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. Good accuracy was assured by the analysis of standard reference materials. In all cases, quantitative analytical recoveries ranging from 82.4 to 115% were obtained. The trace element (mg kg-1) ranged as follows: Pb = 4.18, Cd = 0.439, Ni = 8.84, Cr = 10.23, Mn = 106.3, Co = 2.96, Cu = 85.9, Zn = 156.6 and Fe = 423.5. Results obtained are in agreement with data reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]