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Comparative Study of Metals Accumulation in Cultured In Vitro Mycelium and Naturally Grown Fruiting Bodies of Boletus badius and Cantharellus cibarius

Summary

This research compared metal content between mushrooms grown in laboratories versus wild mushrooms to develop safer nutritional supplements. The lab-grown mushrooms effectively accumulated beneficial minerals while having much lower levels of toxic metals compared to wild mushrooms. This has important implications for developing safer mushroom-based supplements. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a way to produce safer mushroom-based nutritional supplements – Helps ensure quality control of mineral content in mushroom products – Reduces exposure to toxic metals from wild-harvested mushrooms – Advances understanding of how mushrooms accumulate minerals from their environment – Could lead to more sustainable production of mushroom-based health products

Background

Edible mushrooms constitute an increasing part of human diet and contain biologically active compounds used in therapy of serious diseases like cancer, arteriosclerosis, diabetes and blood circulation disorders. Mushroom mycelium has the ability to uptake and accumulate mineral compounds from the environment. Understanding metal accumulation in cultivated mushroom mycelium versus wild fruiting bodies is important for developing potential dietary supplements.

Objective

The aim was to derive in vitro cultures from fruiting bodies of Boletus badius and Cantharellus cibarius and analyze the content of physiologically active microelements (copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, nickel) in mycelia using atomic absorption spectrometry. The study also aimed to evaluate accumulation potential and compare element concentrations between cultured mycelium and wild fruiting bodies. Additionally, toxic cadmium accumulation was analyzed to evaluate safety of mycelium cultures as potential dietary supplements.

Results

Iron concentrations ranged from 215-680 μg/g dry weight across samples. Magnesium showed highest overall concentrations. Zinc was accumulated more in cultured mycelium than wild mushrooms, while copper showed the opposite pattern. Nickel was found in lowest concentrations. Toxic cadmium was higher in wild mushrooms (0.79-1.02 μg/g) compared to cultured mycelium (0.06-0.21 μg/g). Statistical analysis confirmed distinct metal accumulation patterns between species and growth conditions.

Conclusion

The in vitro culture method demonstrated effective uptake and accumulation of essential micronutrients in mushroom mycelia, particularly for B. badius which showed high concentrations of Fe, Mg and Zn. Cultured mycelia had very low levels of toxic compounds compared to wild mushrooms. The results indicate these in vitro cultures can serve as good models for studying element accumulation and metabolism in mushrooms, with potential applications as safer dietary supplements.
  • Published in:Biological Trace Element Research,
  • Study Type:Comparative Study,
  • Source: 10.1007/s12011-013-9670-3
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