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Macro and Trace Mineral Constituents and Radionuclides in Mushrooms: Health Benefits and Risks

Summary

This research examines the mineral content and radioactivity of both wild and cultivated mushrooms, revealing their dual role as nutritional sources and potential accumulators of toxic elements. The study has important implications for food safety and human health. Key impacts on everyday life: – Mushrooms can be excellent sources of essential minerals like potassium, copper, and zinc in our diet – Some mushrooms can accumulate harmful elements, suggesting careful consideration of wild mushroom consumption – Environmental contamination can affect the safety of wild mushrooms for consumption – The findings help inform dietary choices and food safety guidelines for mushroom consumption – The research supports the development of safer cultivation methods for edible mushrooms

Background

Mushrooms are heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms classified in the kingdom of Fungi, with an estimated 5.1 million fungal species worldwide. They play fundamental roles in biogeochemical cycling of elements and soil mineral weathering. Mushrooms can efficiently bioaccumulate various mineral elements from their environment, including both essential nutrients and potentially toxic elements.

Objective

This review aims to comprehensively examine and update data on macro and trace elements and radionuclides in both wild-grown and cultivated edible mushrooms. The study evaluates the nutritional benefits and potential risks associated with mineral constituents in mushrooms, while also addressing technical challenges in analyzing trace minerals in mushroom samples.

Results

The review found that mushrooms can be rich sources of essential minerals like K (25-50 g/kg dm), P (3-15 g/kg dm), Cu (13-200 mg/kg dm), and Zn (60-240 mg/kg dm). Some species show specific patterns of accumulation for certain elements – for example, Boletus edulis is rich in selenium while Amanita strobiliformis hyperaccumulates silver. The study also revealed that mushrooms can accumulate potentially harmful elements like Cd, Hg, and Pb, with concentrations varying significantly between species and locations. Regarding radioactivity, 137Cs was found to be the most significant artificial radionuclide in wild mushrooms.

Conclusion

Wild-grown and cultivated mushrooms can be valuable sources of essential mineral nutrients but may also accumulate potentially toxic elements. The mineral composition varies significantly between species and is influenced by environmental factors. Careful consideration should be given to consumption patterns of wild mushrooms from certain areas due to potential accumulation of toxic elements or radionuclides. There is also a critical need for accurate and reliable analytical methods when studying mineral constituents in mushrooms.
  • Published in:Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1007/s00253-012-4552-8
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