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Lithiation of White Button Mushrooms Using Lithium-Fortified Substrate: Effect of Fortification Levels on Li Uptake and Other Trace Elements

Summary

This research explored enriching common white button mushrooms with lithium by adding lithium carbonate to their growing medium. The enriched mushrooms contained up to 300 times more lithium than regular mushrooms while maintaining normal levels of other minerals. This could provide a more natural alternative to lithium medications used for mood disorders. Impacts on everyday life: – Could provide a food-based alternative to lithium medications – Demonstrates potential for creating mineral-enriched mushrooms safely – May lead to development of other functional foods with health benefits – Shows how common foods can be enhanced while remaining safe to eat – Could help reduce medication side effects for people needing lithium therapy

Background

Lithium salts are used to treat bipolar disorder and mood disorders, but show side effects and are rapidly excreted. Wild and cultivated mushrooms naturally have low lithium content. There is interest in developing natural lithium-enriched food sources as alternatives to lithium salt medications.

Objective

This study evaluated the lithium enrichment potential of white Agaricus bisporus mushrooms by fortifying their commercial growing substrate with Li2CO3 solutions at concentrations from 1.0 to 500 mg/kg dry weight. The study aimed to determine optimal fortification levels and assess impacts on uptake of other trace elements.

Results

Fortification up to 100 mg/kg resulted in significant dose-dependent increases in mushroom Li content, with median values increasing from 0.49 to 17 mg/kg dry weight compared to 0.056 mg/kg in controls. The highest fortification level (500 mg/kg) inhibited fruiting. Lithiated mushrooms contained up to 300-fold more Li than controls. The fortification showed minimal effects on uptake of other trace minerals, with levels remaining similar to or lower than literature values for commercial A. bisporus.

Conclusion

White button mushrooms can be successfully lithiated through substrate fortification, achieving up to 300-fold enrichment at optimal levels. The process had minimal impact on other mineral content. These lithiated mushrooms could potentially serve as a natural alternative to lithium salt medications, though more research is needed on bioavailability and processing effects.
  • Published in:Environmental Science and Pollution Research International,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1007/s11356-021-13984-6
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