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Mercury in Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer and its Underlying Substrate—Environmental and Health Risks Assessment

Summary

This research examined how parasol mushrooms (Macrolepiota procera) accumulate mercury from contaminated soil in Slovakia. While the mushrooms are popular edible fungi, they can concentrate mercury from their environment at potentially concerning levels. The study helps understand environmental pollution risks and food safety implications. Impacts on everyday life: – Highlights the importance of knowing where edible wild mushrooms are collected – Demonstrates how environmental pollutants can enter the food chain – Provides guidance for safe consumption of wild mushrooms – Helps identify potentially contaminated areas to avoid foraging – Informs public health guidelines about wild mushroom consumption

Background

Wild-growing edible mushrooms like Macrolepiota procera (Parasol Mushroom) are valuable food sources with high protein, fiber and antioxidant content. However, they pose potential ecotoxicological risks due to their high capacity to bioaccumulate risk elements and contaminants from the environment, particularly mercury.

Objective

This study aimed to determine mercury contamination levels in Macrolepiota procera fruiting bodies and corresponding soil/substrate samples, evaluate ecological risks through various indices, and assess potential health risks from consumption based on provisional tolerable weekly intake guidelines.

Results

Mercury content in soil/substrate samples ranged from 0.02-0.89 mg/kg DW. In mushroom samples, mercury levels were 0.03-2.83 mg/kg DW in stems and 0.04-6.29 mg/kg DW in caps. The bioaccumulation factor ranged from 3.40-46.9 for caps and 2.50-33.0 for stems. Most soil samples showed moderate ecological risk (73%) with some showing considerable (18%) and very high risk (4.5%). The recommended provisional tolerable weekly intake was exceeded in 9% of analyzed samples.

Conclusion

While analyzed mushroom samples did not exceed legal mercury limits for edible mushrooms, some locations showed concerning levels of mercury accumulation and ecological risk. M. procera demonstrated significant ability to bioaccumulate mercury from soil to fruiting bodies, with caps generally containing higher concentrations than stems. Regular consumption from certain contaminated areas could pose health risks. The study provides important data about mercury transmission in mushrooms and associated environmental and health impacts.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Environmental Assessment Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof7090772
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