Xerocomus Badius Research Articles

The relationship between metal composition, phenolic acid and flavonoid content in Imleria badia from non-polluted and polluted areas

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine the elemental composition, phenolic content and composition and antioxidant properties of Imleria badia (Fr.) Vizzini (former names Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr., and Xerocomus badius (Fr.) E.-J. Gilbert) fruiting bodies collected from sites with different levels of pollution. Imleria badia was relatively tolerant to soil contamination with toxic elements and was able to grow in As, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations exceeding 15, 2.9, 0.4 and 77 mg kg−1, respectively. The concentration of elements in soil was reflected in the element content in I. badia. The fruiting bodies from polluted sites exhibited significantly higher content of all the analyzed elements. Among 21 individual phenolic compounds only protocatechiuc and caffeic acids, and quercetin were determined in fruiting bodies of I. badia. The differences between the concentration of the quantified phenolic compounds and the total flavonoid content in fruiting bodies of I. badia from unpolluted and polluted sites were not significant. However, the greatest total phenolic content was found in fruiting bodies from the polluted areas. The antioxidative capacity of mushrooms collected from heavily polluted sites was lower than those growing in unpolluted areas. The concentrations of some metals in soil and fruiting soil were positively correlated with phenolic content and IC50.

Phenolics, Antioxidant Potentials, and Antimicrobial Activities of Six Wild Boletaceae Mushrooms

ABSTRACTSince mushrooms are important sources of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, their identification and quantification were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography resulting in total concentrations between 2.9161 ± 0.0829 mg/kg (Boletus fechtneri) and 51.4480 ± 1.0333 mg/kg (Boletus appendiculatus). The antioxidant properties of methanol extracts and corresponding hydrolysates were estimated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), total reducing power, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content assays. The Xerocomus badius methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant potential, while among hydrolysates, the highest antioxidant potential was observed for Xerocomellus chrysenteron. The antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts of studied mushrooms against pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains were measured and the highest values were obtained for B. fechtneri and B. appendiculatus extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Principal component analyses and agglomerative hierarchical clustering were used to display the correlation between the parameters and their relationships with the mushroom species.

Modelling of Mercury Emissions from Large Solid Fuel Combustion and Biomonitoring in CZ-PL Border Region

Abstract Tightening of norms for air protection leads to a development of new and significantly more effective techniques for removing particulate matter, SOx and NOx from flue gas which originates from large solid fuel combustion. Recently, it has been found that combinations of these environmental technologies can also lead to the reduction of mercury emissions from coal power plants. Now the greatest attention is paid especially to the coal power plant in Opatovice nad Labem, close to Hradec Kralove. Its system for flue gas dedusting was replaced by a modern type of cloth fabric filter with the highest particle separation efficiency which belongs to the category of BAT. Using this technology, together with modernization of the desulphurisation device and increasing of nitrogen oxides removal efficiency, leads also to a reduction of mercury emissions from this power plant. The University of Hradec Kralove, the Opole University and EMPLA Hradec Kralove successfully cooperate in the field of toxic metals biomonitoring almost 20 years. In the Czech-Polish border region, comprehensive biomonitoring of mercury in bioindicators Xerocomus badius in 9 long-term monitored reference points is done. The values of mercury concentration measured in 2012 and 2016 were compared with values computed by a dispersion model SYMOS′97 (updated 2014). Thanks to modern methods of dedusting and desulphurisation, emissions of mercury from this large coal power plant are now smaller than before and that the downward trends continues. The results indicate that Xerocomus badius is a suitable bioindicator for a long-term monitoring of changes in mercury imissions in this forested border region. This finding is significant because it shows that this region is suitable for leisure, recreation, and rehabilitation.

Kinetics of extracted bioactive components from mushrooms in artificial digestive juices

ABSTRACTThis article presents a study on fruiting bodies of Boletus badius, Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Lactarius deliciosus, Leccinum scabrum, Suillus bovinus, Suillus luteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Tricholoma equestre, Armillaria mellea, Agaricus bisporus, and Auricularia polytricha. The amounts of their health-promoting bioelements and physiologically significant indole and phenolic compounds were determined. The significance of edible mushrooms in the human diet and in disease prevention were also established. The high-performance liquid chromatography was used to assess the contents of indole compounds and phenolic acids. The atomic absorption spectroscopy was applied to determine bioelements. In all samples, the content of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan was studied. The highest extraction amount of serotonin was found for P. ostreatus species. Phenolic compounds were determined in the conditions described in the present study for the first time. Additionally, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic, and gallic acids were determined.

Chemical composition and bioaccumulation ability of Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr. collected in western Poland

The aim of the study was to determine content of 17 elements (Co, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, K, N, C, S and P) and their bioaccumulation factors (BCF) in bay bolete (Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr.) fruiting bodies (caps and stalks) and underneath soil samples collected from forest sites in lubuskie voivodeship in Poland. Forty-eight samples of Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr. fruiting bodies and the same number of underneath soil substrate samples were collected in forest sites of Sulęcin Forest District in western Poland. Copper and zinc were absorbed most strongly from soil substrate, which is performed by bioaccumulation factors (BCFCap/Soil = 16.57 and 11.60, respectively), wherein Pb, Co, Cr, Fe and Mn were excluded from bioaccumulation (BCF < 1.0). The mean content of Cd in caps and stalks was 1.44 ± 0.88 and 2.01 ± 1.26 mg kg−1 dry weight, respectively and in contrary to Pb (≈3.00 ± 2.66 and 2.01 ± 1.26 mg kg−1 d. w.) this metal is strongly accumulated from subsoil (BCFCap/Soil = 11.12 and BCFStipe/Soil = 10.83). The fruiting bodies of Boletus badius were distinguished by elevated content of Cr, Zn, Pb and Cd. Few statistically significant metal-to-metal correlations were observed. The correlation between forest habitat types and metals concentrations was also analysed. An attempt of estimation of Pb and Cd safe dose for human consumption was made. In conclusion: mushrooms can be a good source of some micro- and macroelements, but they also contain a great amount of toxic heavy metals.

Negative effects of potassium supplies and calcium signal inhibitors on oxalate efflux by ectomycorrhizal fungi

The main role of ectomycorrhizal fungi is to extract phosphorus (P) for trees. Organic acids, particularly oxalate, are also beneficial to mobilize nutrients such as potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) from minerals and rocks in soils. In the paper, a pure liquid culture experiment was carried out to elucidate the influence of K supplies and inhibitors related to Ca signals and anion channels on the efflux of oxalate and protons by the isolates of Pisolithus tinctorius, Cenococcum geophilum, Lactarius deliciosus and Boletus badius. The fungal isolates varied greatly in the biomass and the absorption of N, P and K. Oxalate, acetate, malate, citrate and succinate were detected in the culture solutions. All the studied fungal isolates could effuse oxalate and the faster exudation was observed at low K supply than high K. The fungal K accumulation correlated negatively with the efflux rates of oxalate (r=−0.359, n=60) and protons (r=−0.630, n=60). The stimulation of oxalate and proton efflux by external hyphae in soil with low K could be beneficial to K mobilization from minerals. However, the inhibitors of calmodulin (trifluoperazine and ruthenium red), Ca2+ (verapamil) and anion channels (niflumic acid) decreased the fungal oxalate efflux at low K supply. Therefore, both Ca signals and anion channels involved in the process of the fungal oxalate exudation in low K conditions.

Content of selected elements and low-molecular-weight organic acids in fruiting bodies of edible mushroom Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr. from unpolluted and polluted areas.

The aim of the study was to (i) investigate the potential of edible mushroom Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr. to accumulate 53 elements from unpolluted acidic sandy soil and polluted alkaline flotation tailing sites in Poland, (ii) to estimate the low-molecular-weight organic acid (LMWOA) profile and contents in fruit bodies, and finally (iii) to explore the possible relationship between elements and LMWOA content in mushrooms. The content of most elements in fruiting bodies collected from the flotation tailings was significantly higher than in mushrooms from the unpolluted soils. The occurrence of elements determined in fruiting bodies of B. badius has been varied (from 0.01 mg kg−1 for Eu, Lu, and Te up to 18,932 mg kg−1 for K). The results established the high importance of element contents in substrate. Among ten organic acids, nine have been found in wide range: from below 0.01 mg kg−1 for fumaric acid to 14.8 mg g−1 for lactic acid. Lactic and succinic acids were dominant in both areas, and citric acid was also in high content in polluted area. The correlation between element contents and the individual and total content of LMWOAs was confirmed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-016-7222-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Analysis of Indole Compounds Quantity in Biomass of Edible Basidiomycota Species from in Vitro Cultures and from Cultures Supplemented with L-Tryptophan

The analysis demonstrated that biomass of Agaricus bisporus, Boletus badius, and Cantharellus cibarius contains non-hallucinogenic indole compounds. Addition of l-tryptophan to the in vitro cultures raised the total content of indole compounds. l-Tryptophan became metabolized, causing an increase of the concentration of some indole compounds. The compounds found in the tested biomass from in vitro culture on Oddoux medium without and with addition of l-tryptophan were l-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan, serotonin, melatonin, tryptamine, and 5-methyltryptamine (ranged from 4.28 to 132.51 mg/100 g dry weight). l-Tryptophan is an amino acid exogenous to the human body, and therefore, it must be supplied to the body with food. The highest amount of 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan was found in the extracts from biomass of B. badius cultured on medium with addition of l-tryptophan (132.51 mg/100 g dry weight). Also, in this case, the highest total content of examined indole compounds (168.00 mg/100 g dry weight) was determined. Melatonin was found only in biomass of A. bisporus cultured on medium with addition of l-tryptophan but in smaller amount (4.28 mg/100 g dry weight).

In vitro culture of Boletus badius as a source of indole compounds and zinc released in artificial digestive juices.

The objective of this study was to obtain the in vitro cultures of Boletus badius under controlled conditions and investigate the release of indole compounds and zinc from the mycelium of B. badius to artificial digestive juices under conditions similar to those in the human gastrointestinal tract. Biomass was obtained from cultures grown using both only the Oddoux medium as well as the same medium with added zinc hydroaspartate and zinc sulfate. The release of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, L-tryptophan, and serotonin from the B. badius biomass extracts to the artificial digestive juices was determined. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry was used to demonstrate that zinc is released from each of the extracted materials. The total amount of zinc in the materials under study was estimated to be between 7.12 and 44.15 mg/100 g dry weight. It was demonstrated that in vitro cultures of B. badius grown using appropriately selected media may supplement zinc and indole compounds.

Variations of arsenic species content in edible Boletus badius growing at polluted sites over four years

ABSTRACTThe content of arsenic (As) in mushrooms can vary depending on the concentration level of this metalloid in the soil/substrate. The present study evaluated the content of arsenic in Boletus badius fruiting bodies collected from polluted and non-polluted sites in relation to the content of this element in overgrown substrate. It was found that mushrooms from the arsenic-polluted sites contained mean concentrations from 49 to 450 mg As kg−1 dry matter (d.m.), with the greatest content found for specimens growing in close proximity of sludge deposits (490±20 mg As kg−1d.m.). The mean content of total arsenic in mushrooms from clean sites ranged from 0.03 to 0.37 mg kg−1 It was found that B. badius could tolerate arsenic in soil substrate at concentrations of up to 2500 mg kg−1, at least. In different years of investigation, shifts in particular arsenic forms, as well as a general increase in the accumulation of organic arsenic content, were observed. The results of this study clearly indicate that B. badius should not be collected for culinary purposes from any sites that may be affected by pollution.

HEALTH SAFETY OF EDIBLE WILD MUSHROOMS COLLECTED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL AREA

The health risk associated with consumption of edible mushrooms derived from area surrounding the metallurgical plants was assessed. Three species (Xerocomus badius (Fr.), Suillus luteus (L.) and Leccinum scabrum (Bull.) Grey) of mushrooms have been studied. Samples were collected at increasing distances (0.2, 5, 10, and 15km) from the border of an industrial area. Determination of the content of 13 elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl, Zn and Se) using ICP-OES method with prior microwave mineralization was made. Among studied metals only Al concentration in mushrooms was distance-dependent. The content of Al in tested samples ranged from 2.8 – 39.6 mg.kg-1 dry matter and significantly (P

Thermal processing can affect zinc availability in some edible mushrooms

The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry method was used for the determination of zinc released into artificial digestive juices from selected fruiting bodies of edible mushrooms (Boletus badius, Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Leccinum scabrum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Suillus bovinus) before and after thermal processing which imitated food preparation. The total amount of zinc released from thermally-processed mushrooms ranged within 2.22–20.68 mg/100 g dry weight. The highest amount of zinc was determined in artificial digestive juices in thermally-processed fruiting bodies of B. badius and B. edulis. For C. cibarius fruiting bodies, thermal processing resulted in a slight increase in the release of zinc compared to the unprocessed fruiting bodies.In P. ostreatus species, the amount of zinc released into digestive juices before and after thermal processing was at almost the same order of magnitude. Thermal processing of fruiting bodies of B. badius, B. edulis and C. cibarius resulted in the release of significantly larger amounts of zinc into artificial digestive juices, which made them a very good source of zinc. In terms of fruiting bodies of S. bovinus and L. scabrum, an increase in temperature caused a partial reduction of zinc content; however, cooked mushrooms still remained an effective source of zinc.

Metallic elements (Ca, Hg, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn) in the fruiting bodies of Boletus badius

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the levels of eight metallic elements in the fruiting bodies of Bay Bolete (Boletus badius; current name Imleria badia) collected from ten sites in Poland to understand better the value of this popular mushroom as an organic food. Bay Bolete fruiting bodies were collected from the forest area near the towns and villages of Kętrzyn, Poniatowa, Bydgoszcz, Pelplin, Włocławek, Żuromin, Chełmno, Ełk and Wilków communities, as well as in the Augustów Primeval Forest. Elements such as Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). This made it possible to assess the nutritional value of the mushroom, as well as possible toxicological risks associated with its consumption. The results were subjected to statistical analysis (Kruskal–Wallis test, cluster analysis, principal component analysis).

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Biomass Extracts of the Bay Mushroom, Imleria badia (Agaricomycetes), in RAW 264.7 Cells.

The popular edible bay mushroom, Imleria badia, is rich in phenolic and indole compounds, unsaturated fatty acids, and elements that have anti-inflammatory activity, including zinc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pro- or anti-inflammatory impact of I. badia biomass extracts on RAW 264.7 cells. We analyzed the influence of I. badia extracts and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) cotreatment on the fatty acid profile of cell membranes. We also analyzed cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E synthase, glutathione S transferase Mul, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p50 and p65 protein expression, as well as the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and NF-κB transcription factors. Incubation of cells with I. badia extracts resulted in a decreased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2 synthase when compared with the LPS-activated macrophages. Glutathione S transferase Mul expression increased after incubation of cells with I. badia extracts. p50 And p65 NF-κB protein levels were lower in macrophages after extract treatment. Lower activity of NF-κB and higher activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ was observed in cells treated with I. badia extracts in the presence of LPS when compared with cells activated by LPS alone. Our findings suggest the anti-inflammatory properties of I. badia biomass extracts from in vitro cultures, which could contribute to the development of new strategies in the treatment of inflammation.

Optimization of Cultural Conditions for Antioxidant Exopolysaccharides from Xerocomus badius Grown in Shrimp Byproduct.

To optimize the production conditions for exopolysaccharides with higher antioxidant activities from Xerocomus badius cultured in shrimp byproduct medium, Plackett-Burman design, path of steepest ascent, and response surface methodology were explored. Based on the results of Plackett-Burman design and path of steepest ascent, a Box-Behnken design was applied to optimization and the regression models. The optimal cultural condition for high yield and antioxidant activity of the exopolysaccharides was determined to be 10.347% of solid-to-liquid ratio, a 4.322% content of bran powder, and a 1.217% concentration of glacial acetic acid. Culturing with the optimal cultural conditions resulted in an exopolysaccharides yield of 4.588 ± 0.346 g/L and a total antioxidant activity of 2.956 ± 0.105 U/mg. These values are consistent with the values predicted by the corresponding regression models (RSD < 5%).

90Sr in King Bolete Boletus edulis and certain other mushrooms consumed in Europe and China

The 90Sr activity concentrations released from a radioactive fallout have been determined in a range of samples of mushrooms collected in Poland, Belarus, China, and Sweden in 1996–2013. Measurement of 90Sr in pooled samples of mushrooms was carried out with radiochemical procedure aimed to pre-isolate the analyte from the fungal materials before it was determined using the Low-Level Beta Counter. Interestingly, the Purple Bolete Imperator rhodopurpureus collected from Yunnan in south-western China in 2012 showed 90Sr activity concentration at around 10Bqkg−1 dry biomass, which was greater when compared to other mushrooms in this study. The King Bolete Boletus edulis from China showed the 90Sr activity in caps at around 1.5Bqkg−1 dry biomass (whole fruiting bodies) in 2012 and for specimens from Poland activity was well lower than 1.0Bqkg−1 dry biomass in 1998–2010. A sample of Sarcodonimbricatus collected in 1998 from the north-eastern region of Poland impacted by Chernobyl fallout showed 90Sr in caps at around 5Bqkg−1 dry biomass. Concentration of 90Sr in Bay Bolete Royoporus (Xerocomus or Boletus) badius from affected region of Gomel in Belarus was in 2010 at 2.1Bqkg−1 dry biomass. In several other species from Poland 90Sr was at <0.5 to around 1.0Bqkg−1 dry biomass. Activity concentrations of 90Sr in popular B. edulis and some other mushrooms collected from wild in Poland were very low (<1Bqkg−1 dry biomass), and values noted showed on persistence of this type of radioactivity in mushrooms over time passing from nuclear weapons tests and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant catastrophe.

Динаміка вмісту 137Cs у компонентах раціону диких ратичних тварин у лісах Житомирського Полісся

Наведено результати визначення питомої активності 137Cs у тих частинах деревних порід, чагарників, чагарничків і грибів, які є основним кормом для козулі європейської у лісах Житомирського Полісся. Визначено основні «критичні» періоди протягом року, які характеризуються найвищими рівнями вмісту радіонуклідів у кормах і в організмах дикого кабана і козулі європейської. Для всіх досліджуваних видів рослин, що входять до складу раціонів дикого кабана та козулі європейської, характерні значні сезонні коливання концентрації 137Сs у різних органах рослини, які можуть використовувати як корм тварини (коренях, річних пагонах, листі), а також у частинах органів (верхня, середня та нижня частини пагона). В осінній та весняний періоди виявлено підвищену концентрацію 137Сs у верхівках пагонів та коренях рослин. Влітку найбільшу активність 137Сs зафіксовано у надземній фітомасі. Представлено сезонні коефіцієнти переходу 137Cs з ґрунту в корма дикого кабана та козулі європейської у «критичні» періоди радіоактивного забруднення їх організмів. Запропоновано заходи щодо оптимізації термінів відстрілу диких ратичних тварин.

In Silico Discovery of Novel Potent Antioxidants on the Basis of Pulvinic Acid and Coumarine Derivatives and Their Experimental Evaluation.

A pigment from the edible mushroom Xerocomus badius norbadione A, which is a natural derivative of pulvinic acid, was found to possess antioxidant properties. Since the pulvinic acid represents a novel antioxidant scaffold, several other derivatives were recently synthetized and evaluated experimentally, along with some structurally related coumarine derivatives. The obtained data formed the basis for the construction of several quantitative structure-activity and pharmacophore models, which were employed in the virtual screening experiments of compound libraries and for the prediction of their antioxidant activity, with the goal of discovering novel compounds possessing antioxidant properties. A final prioritization list of 21 novel compounds alongside 8 established antioxidant compounds was created for their experimental evaluation, consisting of the DPPH assay, 2-deoxyribose assay, β-carotene bleaching assay and the cellular antioxidant activity assay. Ten novel compounds from the tetronic acid and barbituric acid chemical classes displayed promising antioxidant activity in at least one of the used assays, that is comparable to or even better than some standard antioxidants. Compounds 5, 7 and 9 displayed good activity in all the assays, and were furthermore effective preventers of oxidative stress in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which are promising features for the potential therapeutic use of such compounds.

Radioactive contamination of dietary components of the roe deer in the forests of Zhytomirske Polesie of Ukraine

Abstract This paper presents a study on radioactive contamination of dietary components of the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Zhytomirske Polesie (Ukraine). Studies were conducted on two research plots in forests with similar levels of radioactive contamination, 29 ± 8 kBq/m2 - 55 ± 17 kBq/m2, in mixed coniferous forests and mixed broadleaved forests, which are the dominant forest types of the area. The highest level of radionuclide accumulation was observed in young oak seedlings. The dynamics for oak sprouts indicate that the accumulation coefficient reaches a maximum in September and August in the mixed coniferous and mixed broadleaved forests respectively. A comparison of mean values of the 137Cs accumulation coefficients in the shoots of undergrowth plants confirms that an increase in soil fertility leads to a reduction of radionuclides in plant phytomass. In the mixed broadleaved forests, average values of the coefficient of 137Cs accumulation in phytomass of blackberry was 26% and of raspberries 58% lower compared to mixed coniferous forests. The maximum contamination of phytomass was observed in August for oak, in October for aspen, and in July for birch. The highest specific activity of 137Cs in raspberry shoots occurs during the three summer months, whereas the peak in blackberry occurs from August to September. The dynamics of the specific activity of 137Cs in blueberry, cranberry and heather show an increase in radioactive contamination of phytomass towards the end of the growth period. The maximum concentration of 137Cs in shoots of heather and bilberry was recorded in October and for blueberry in August. Mushrooms in mixed coniferous forests can be ranked as follows according to the degree of 137Cs contamination: Cantharellus &lt; Boletus edulis &lt; Russula &lt; Leccinum &lt; Xerocomus badius &lt; Paxillus involutus. In mixed broadleaved forests the ranking is Cantharellus &lt; Boletus edulis &lt; Russula &lt; Xerocomus badius &lt; Leccinum &lt; Paxillus involutus. Within one habitat type, we observed fairly significant variations in 137Cs accumulation in fruit bodies of fungi species.

Mercury contamination of fungi genus Xerocomus in the Yunnan province in China and the region of Europe

This article presents the results of the study on accumulation, distribution, contamination and probable dietary intake of total mercury (THg) in fruiting bodies of several species of Fungi genus Xerocomus, which emerged in the circum-Pacific mercuriferous belt region in southwestern China in Yunnan and beyond of the mercuriferous belts in the region of Europe. The mushrooms X. puniceus (Boletus amygdalinus), X. spadiceus (Boletus ferrugineus) and X. versicolor (X. rubellus) were from the Yunnan land, and X. badius (Boletus badius) was from the region of Europe in Belarus and X. badius, X. chrysenteron, X. ferrugineus, X. versicolor (X. rubellus) and X. subtomentosus from Poland. The THg in the fungal and soil materials was determined using validated method by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy. Estimated was also probable dietary intake and health risk from THg in Xerocomus spp. examined by consumers. The data showed that THg content of Xerocomus spp. emerged in the European localizations in Poland and Belarus is at an order of magnitude lower level than determined in samples from the Yunnan Province. A reason for an elevated content of THg in mushrooms from Yunnan can be related to abundance of Hg in the geochemical background of soils there. The assessed doses showed that a single meal composed of 300 g of fresh fruiting bodies of X. spadiceus from the Wuding localization in Yunnan in China if consumed once a week will provide THg at dose close to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value set for THg, while doses will be lower for all other localizations in Yunnan and Europe. In the Wuding localization in Yunnan a frequent consumption of X. spadiceus in volume exceeding 300 g of fresh fruiting bodies per week will provide THg at a dose exceeding the value of PTWI.