Abstract
In the present paper, we focused on assessment of the contamination levels of five species (n = 33) of edible wild mushrooms (Macrolepiota procera, Boletus reticulatus, Suillus grevillei, Russula xerampelina and Xerocomellus chrysenteron). We collected samples of above-ground parts of the macroscopic fungi species in historical mining and processing area surrounding Banská Bystrica (Central Slovakia) in 2014. Within 2 m radius of the samples, we also took samples of underlying substrate. On the basis of the substrate, along with the monitored contaminant – mercury, we calculated bioaccumulation factors for individual species and their anatomical parts (cap and stipe). From the obtained results of the mercury content in the edible mushrooms, we then determined provisionally tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The limit value for mercury (0.350 mg Hg kg-1 for an individual with average weight of 70 kg) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Our results suggest that despite the relatively low level of Hg in the underlying substrate, the species Macrolepiota procera (1.98 mg kg-1 ± 68.2 (0.41 - 3.20 mg kg-1 DW)) is characterized by extremely high bioaccumulation ability, as confirmed by the bioaccumulation factors (BAFc = 15.3; BAFs = 8.02). PTWI value was exceeded by almost 20%. In case of the other studied edible wild mushroom species, we did not record any increased risk of mercury intake by consumers. Generally it can be stated that consumption of wild mushrooms represents a relatively small but significant risk of negative impact on the consumer´s health.
Highlights
The level of environmental contamination by heavy metals presents a significant risk in relation to the quality of the food chain (ATSDR, 2007)
Due to the characteristic position of mushrooms in the human food chain, they present a high risk of heavy metals transfer, especially of mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc and copper into the human body (Gursoy et al, 2009), which is caused by higher levels of contaminant uptake compared to plant species
The present paper aims to determine the levels of mercury transfer from substrate to above-ground parts of macroscopic edible mushrooms collected in the historical mining area of central Slovakia (Banská Bystrica district)
Summary
The level of environmental contamination by heavy metals presents a significant risk in relation to the quality of the food chain (ATSDR, 2007). Edible mushrooms (Macromycetes) are valuable health foods, both for their texture and flavor as well as for their low energy content, high proportion of indigestible fiber, specific β-glucans and antioxidant constituents (Kalač, 2009, Kalač, 2013) They contain significant amounts of vitamins, minerals and trace elements like Fe, Zn, Se, K (Elmastas et al, 2007; Wang et al, 2014). Depending on the natural habitat (areas of geochemical anomalies, anthropogenically polluted soils), there is an increased intake of heavy metals into edible parts of mushrooms, which increases the load level to animal and human food chain (Aloupi et al, 2012; Falandysz et al, 2012). Given the popularity of collecting edible wild mushrooms in Central Europe (Kalač, 2009; Árvay et al, 2014) we investigated a level of health risk arising from their consumption
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