Nutritional and Other Trace Elements and Their Associations in Raw King Bolete Mushrooms, Boletus edulis

Author: mycolabadmin
2021-12-31
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Summary

This research examined the levels of various trace elements in wild king bolete mushrooms (Boletus edulis), a popular edible mushroom species. The study found that while these mushrooms can accumulate different elements from their environment, they generally contained safe levels of potentially toxic metals when collected from unpolluted areas. This has important implications for everyday life: • Confirms that wild king bolete mushrooms from unpolluted areas are generally safe for consumption in terms of toxic metal content • Demonstrates the importance of knowing where wild mushrooms are collected, as location can affect their mineral composition • Shows how mushrooms can serve as environmental indicators, helping monitor pollution levels in different areas • Highlights the need for proper food safety monitoring of wild-collected foods • Emphasizes the importance of proper preparation of wild mushrooms before consumption

Background

Wild edible mushrooms like king bolete (Boletus edulis) are traditionally valued for human consumption and are part of gourmet heritage worldwide. B. edulis is a symbiotic ectomycorrhizal species native to Europe and other regions in the northern hemisphere with moderate climates. It is widely foraged both recreationally and commercially, with significant harvests recorded in countries like Poland. The mushroom is considered a delicacy due to its sensory and nutritional values, particularly its high selenium content and other antioxidants.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the occurrence and associations of various trace elements in B. edulis mushrooms, including elements that had not been previously reported. The research focused on examining concentrations of elements like Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu and others, including new data on Be, Hf, In, Li, Mo, Nb, Sn, Ta, Th, Ti and Zr, and rare earth elements (REEs) in spatially diverse mushroom samples.

Results

The study found that toxic elements Cd and Pb were present at concentrations below EU limits for cultivated mushrooms. Elements like Ag, As, Hg, Sb, Tl, and U were found at relatively low or typical levels consistent with unpolluted areas. Elements Be, Bi, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, Nb, Ta, Th, and W, along with REEs, were found at low concentrations (below 0.1 to below 0.01 mg kg−1 dry weight). Caps showed higher concentrations of Ag, Cd, Cu, Cs, Ga, Ge, Hg, Mo, Ni, Rb, Sb, Ti, and Zn compared to stipes, while Ba, Co, Hf, Sr, Tl, and Zr were found at higher concentrations in stipes.

Conclusion

The study provided comprehensive baseline data on trace elements in B. edulis mushrooms. While some sites showed evidence of anthropogenic contamination, most toxic metallic elements were present at harmless levels. The research highlighted the importance of considering both geological and anthropogenic factors in assessing mushroom element composition, while emphasizing the need for proper preparation before consumption.

Published in:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
Study Type:Analytical Research,
Source: 10.3390/ijerph19010417