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Mercury and Selenium in Developing and Mature Fruiting Bodies of Amanita muscaria

Summary

This research examined how mercury and selenium levels change as fly agaric mushrooms develop from young to mature. The study found that selenium, which can help protect against mercury toxicity, occurs at much higher levels than mercury in these mushrooms. This has important implications for food safety and human health. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps assess safety of wild mushroom consumption • Provides insight into how mushrooms accumulate beneficial and toxic elements • Contributes to understanding environmental contamination through mushroom analysis • Informs food processing techniques for toxic element removal • Aids in developing dietary guidelines for mushroom consumption

Background

Amanita muscaria (fly agaric mushroom) is an ectomycorrhizal fungus known for its ability to bio-concentrate metals and metalloids from soil. While both mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) occur in many mushroom species, the morphological distribution of these elements during different developmental stages of the fruiting bodies is not well understood.

Objective

To investigate how mercury and selenium concentrations vary across different developmental stages of A. muscaria fruiting bodies, from button stage to full maturity, and examine the implications for those who consume this species.

Results

Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.58-0.74 mg/kg dry weight in caps and 0.33-0.44 mg/kg in stipes. Selenium levels were approximately ten times higher, ranging from 8.3-11 mg/kg dry weight in caps and 2.2-4.3 mg/kg in stipes. Both elements showed lowest concentrations during periods of maximum sporocarp growth. The cap to stipe concentration ratio remained relatively constant for Hg but varied more for Se.

Conclusion

The study found that Hg and Se levels vary during developmental stages, likely relating to growth demands. Both elements showed lowest concentrations during maximum sporocarp growth periods. Selenium occurred at almost an order of magnitude greater levels than mercury, which is significant due to selenium’s role in mitigating mercury toxicity for consumers. However, the losses of both elements during processing remain unknown.
  • Published in:Environmental Science and Pollution Research International,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Analysis,
  • Source: 10.1007/s11356-021-14740-6
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