The content of some heavy metals in edible mushrooms

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the content of iron, manganese, copper, zinc and nickel in forest mushrooms (Xerocomus badius), as well as white and brown mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). The forest mushrooms came from the forest complexes located in the Mazovia voivodship in the Siedlce, Sokolow, Losice and Lukow counties. The white and brown mushrooms as well as oyster mushrooms were purchased at local chain stores. The total metals content was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), after prior “dry” mineralization of the materials in a muffle furnace at 450°C and dissolution of the obtained ash in a 10% HCl solution. The largest average total content of zinc and manganese was found in forest mushrooms, copper – brown mushrooms, nickel – white mushrooms, and iron – oyster mushrooms. The smallest total content of copper, zinc and nickel was determined in oyster mushrooms, and iron and manganese in white mushrooms. The statistical analysis showed significant relationships between the average iron and nickel content as well as manganese and zinc in the analyzed mushrooms, as evidenced by the high values of linear correlation coefficients, 0.77 and 0.86, respectively.