Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the contamination, accumulation, and distribution of mercury in fruiting bodies by Leccinum versipelle fungus collected from distant sites across Poland. Mercury was determined using validated method by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy after direct sample matrix combustion. A large set of data gained using 371 fruiting bodies and 204 soil samples revealed the susceptibility of L. versipelle to Hg contamination and permitted the estimation of probable intake of Hg contaminant by consumers foraging for this species. The range of median values of Hg determined in caps of L. versipelle was from 0.20 to 2.0 mg kg−1 dry biomass, and the median for 19 localities was 0.65 mg kg−1 dry biomass. The values of the Hg bioconcentration factor (BCF) determined for L. versipelle correlated negatively with Hg contents. Mercury in topsoil beneath L. versipelle ranged from 0.019 to 0.041 mg kg−1 dry matter for less-contaminated locations (BCF of 17 to 65 for caps) and from 0.076 to 0.39 mg kg−1 dry matter for more contaminated locations (BCF of 1.9 to 22). Fruiting bodies of L. versipelle collected in some regions of Poland if consumed in amount of 300 g in one meal in a week could provide Hg doses above the provisionally tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value of 0.004 mg Hg kg−1 body mass, while regular consumptions for most of the locations were below the limit even with more frequent consumption. Also summarized are available data on Hg for three species of fungi of genus Leccinum foraged in Europe.
Highlights
The Orange Birch Bolete or red-capped scaber stalk Leccinum versipelle (Fr. & Hök) Snell is one of macromycetes in the Kingdom of Fungi that are popular in the Central and Eastern Europe and in the Scandinavia
Mushroom L. versipelle is commonly known as Leccinum testaceoscabrum (Secr.) Sing. and is the most popular among the genus Leccinum collected in Poland (Gumińska and Wojewoda 1985)
This study aimed at elucidating the bioconcentration potential, distribution, and probable dietary intake and potential health risk for the local populations from Hg accumulated in fruiting bodies by L. versipelle, which emerged at 19 spatially and distantly distributed locations considered background areas in Poland and which receive airborne Hg from global fallout that is dominated by anthropogenic emissions
Summary
The Orange Birch Bolete or red-capped scaber stalk Leccinum versipelle (Fr. & Hök) Snell is one of macromycetes (mushrooms) in the Kingdom of Fungi that are popular in the Central and Eastern Europe and in the Scandinavia. The fruiting body of the fungus, L. versipelle, is generally considered as good while its flesh quickly gets dark discoloration when it is hurt (cut), cooked (boiled/blanched and fried/roasted), or dried. Another Leccinum species that is common and annually foraged in Central and Eastern Europe is the Brown Birch Scaber Stalk Leccinum scabrum, but this is less valued and is usually dried before use because its stipe is somewhat tough and the mature fruiting body is smaller in size when compared to L versipelle (Falandysz and Bielawski 2007; Falandysz et al 2007c). The fruiting bodies of certain species can be rich
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