Abstract
The study determined total mercury (Hg) content of 10 wild edible mushroom species collected in southern Spain. Results indicated that the highest Hg level corresponded to Boletus aereus with 10.28±2.92mg/kg DW (dry weight), while the lowest Hg level was found in Terfezia arenaria with 0.09±0.08mg/kg DW. Regarding the anatomic parts of the mushrooms, caps showed significantly higher Hg concentrations than stems in B. aereus, Amanita caesarea and Macrolepiota procera. The percentage of contribution to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for Hg was also calculated. Based on consumption data in Spain (0.011kg/person/week), %PTWI was calculated ranging between 0.06 and 3.5% for mean Hg levels. When a high level of consumption was assumed (0.100kg/person/week), %PTWI ranged between 0.58 and 31%. Results suggest that wild edible mushrooms in southern Spain could contribute with high Hg levels to the Spanish diet. However, the lack of consumption data for wild edible mushrooms made it difficult to give more definitive conclusions; hence further studies including specific consumption data will be needed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
