Mercury in fruiting bodies of dark honey fungus (Armillaria solidipes) and beneath substratum soils collected from spatially distant areas.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports data on bioconcentration potential and baseline mercury concentrations of fruiting bodies of dark honey fungus (Armillaria solidipes) Peck and soil substrate layer (0-10 cm) from 12 spatially distant sites across Poland. Mercury content of caps, stipes and soil samples were determined using validated analytical procedure including cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy after thermal decomposition of the sample matrix and further amalgamation and desorption of mercury from gold wool. RESULTS: Mean mercury concentrations ranged from 20 ± 8 to 300 ± 70 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw) in caps, from 20 ± 6 to 160 ± 40 ng g(-1) dw in stipes, and in underlying soil were from 20 ± 2 to 100 ± 130 ng g(-1) dw. The results showed that stipes mercury concentrations were 1.1- to 1.7-fold lower than those of caps. All caps and the majority of stipes were characterized by bioconcentration factor values > 1, indicating that dark honey fungus can be characterized as a moderate mercury accumulator. CONCLUSION: Occasional or relatively frequent eating of meals including caps of dark honey fungus is considered safe in view of the low total mercury content, and the mercury intake rates are below the current reference dose and provisionally tolerable weekly intake limits for this hazardous metal.

Mercury in Yellow-cracking Boletes Xerocomus subtomentosus mushrooms and soils from spatially diverse sites: assessment of bioconcentration potential by species and human intake.

This study investigated the Hg concentrations in Yellow-cracking Boletes Xerocomus subtomentosus mushrooms and beneath soils collected from the wild at twelve sites across Poland. This mushroom species has some potential to bioconcentrate Hg in the fruiting bodies, and the amount of Hg sequestered, depending on geographical location, can pose health risk to consumers. The values of Hg bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied for the sites between 0.80 ± 0.20 and 17 ± 12 in caps and 0.50 ± 0.10 and 7.9 ± 6.6 in stipes of fruiting bodies but decreased as soil Hg content increased from 72 ± 32 to 570 ± 130 ng/g dry weight. The specimens collected from minerals rich area of Zlotoryja contained the highest Hg concentration, which reached 630 ± 400 in caps and 420 ± 260 ng/g dw in stipes, while the lowest observed Hg concentrations at the other sites were 72 ± 32 and 57 ± 13 ng/g, for cap and stipes respectively. Available literature data on Hg in Yellow-cracking Boletes was also up-dated.

Mercury bio-concentration by Puffballs (Lycoperdon perlatum) and evaluation of dietary intake risks.

In the present study, Hg bioconcentration by Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) mushroom was investigated. Total Hg content of fruiting bodies and topsoil (0-10 cm layer) were determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy. For ten geographically distant sampling sites of Poland, Hg ranged from 0.91 ± 0.28 to 2.4 ± 0.4 (overall range 0.57-4.5) µg/g dry weight in the carpophores and 0.012 ± 0.002 to 0.063 ± 0.024 (overall range 0.0077-0.12) µg/g dw in topsoil. The mean values of the bioconcentration factor ranged from 28 ± 11 to 110 ± 36 (range 9.6-280) indicating that L. perlatum effectively accumulates Hg and could be classified as a Hg accumulator. Total Hg content of L. perlatum to some degree seems to be determined both by degree of soil contamination and metal bioavailability to mycelium and also the rate of transfer and accumulation in fruiting bodies at the sites surveyed. Summarized and discussed are published data available on total Hg and methylmercury in L. perlatum.

Concentrations and bioconcentration factors of minerals in yellow-cracking Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus) mushroom collected in Notec Forest, Poland.

UNLABELLED: Yellow-cracking Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus) mushrooms and soil were collected from Notec Forest--a large forested enclave in western part of Poland. Mercury was determined by cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy and the other elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. K, P, and Mg were particularly abundant, with mean values of 46000, 8400, and 1100 mg/kg dry weight (dw) in caps followed by Na, Rb, Zn, and Ca with mean concentrations of 580, 350, 200, and 170 mg/kg dw, respectively. In descending order, the mean concentrations of Fe, Al, Cu, and Mn were 52, 49, 46, and 14 mg/kg dw, while the mean for the remaining elements was around 1.0 mg/kg dw or less. The elements such as Ca, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Na, P, Rb, Zn, Ag, Cd, and Ni were accumulated (with bioconcentration factor (BCF) > 1), while Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Sr, Co, Cr, and Pb were excluded (BCF < 1) in the fruiting bodies. The Pb and Cd content did not exceed the maximum levels set by the EU for cultivated mushrooms. Mercury in a conventional meal (300 g) portion of Yellow-cracking Bolete was far below the provisionally tolerable weekly intake of 0.004 mg/kg body weight (bw) as reevaluated recently by WHO. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The method presented in this study allows one to determine the content of 20 elements (Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, and Zn) in caps and stipes of Yellow-cracking Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus) mushrooms and soil samples collected from Poland. This study has revealed that the total Cd, Hg, and Pb dose provided to human body due to consumption of Yellow-cracking Bolete does not pose threat to a consumer's health.

Occurrence and accumulation of mercury in two species of wild grown Pleurotus mushrooms from Southeastern Nigeria.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of contamination and intake rates, as well as the risk of Hg contained in two wild species of Pleurotus mushrooms--Oyster Mushroom (P. ostreatus) and King Tuber Mushroom (P. tuber-regium)--which are widely consumed in southeastern Nigeria; and to also assess their potential to accumulate Hg. The mean Hg concentrations in caps of P. ostreatus from distant sites of Ekeoba, Ntigha, and Ubakala in Abia State, were 31±11, 28±8, and 29±5 ng g(-1) dry weight, respectively; while the mean concentrations for stipes were 37±5, 36±17, and 28±6 ng g(-1) dw, in the respective communities. The caps and stipes were characterized by a mean bioconcentration factor value of ∼2, indicating that P. ostreatus is a very weak Hg accumulator and probably takes in Hg solely from the wooden substratum. Sclerotia of P. tuber-regium, purchased from five different regional markets: Ukwunwangwu (Uturu), Ekeama (Umuobiala), and Ahonta (Eluama) of Abia State; and from Abakpa market and Eke-Okigwe of Imo State; contained Hg in total range of 3.3 to 180 ng g(-1) dw. A meal consisting of 300 g of caps and stipes of P. ostreatus, or of fresh sclerotia of P. tuber-regium, would expose a consumer to <1.2, and between 0.39 and 1.2 µg Hg, respectively; and, if eaten daily for a week, would contribute less than 0.03%, and between 0.76% and 2.3% of the provisionally tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The consumption of P. ostreatus and sclerotia of P. tuber-regium harvested from the areas investigated, therefore, poses no toxicological or health risks to the inhabitants.

Mercury in Russula mushrooms: Bioconcentration by Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills Russula ochroleuca.

The purpose of this study was to examine the contamination and bioconcentration potential of mercury (Hg) in Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills known also as Yellow-ocher Brittle Gill or Common Russula (Russula ochroleuca) mushroom. Matured fruiting bodies of this fungus and soil samples were collected at ten spatially distant unpolluted sites in the northern part of Poland in 2004-2008. Total Hg content of fruiting bodies and soil were determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). The total Hg content of the Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills varied between 0.017 and 0.43 µg/g dry weights in individual caps and between 0.011 and 0.24 µg/g dw in the stipes. The mean mercury content of the mushroom varied spatially (p < 0.001) between the sites - in caps between 0.039 ± 0.024 and 0.18 ± 0.11 µg/g dw; and in stipes between 0.027 ± 0.014 and 0.13 ± 0.06 µg/g dw. The caps usually contained Hg in greater concentrations than stipes and the mean values of cap to stipe Hg concentration quotient (Q(c/s)) varied from 1.3 ± 0.4 to 1.9 ± 0.04. The range of Hg concentrations in the top soil layer (0-10 cm) varied from 0.011 to 0.51 µg/g dw (mean values varied between 0.025 ± 0.010 and 0.18 ± 0.13 µg/g dw). Mean Hg bioconcentration factor (BCF) varied between 0.57 ± 0.30 and 5.6 ± 1.7 for caps and 0.50 ± 0.49 and 3.3 ± 1.8 for stipes. Yellow-ocher Brittle Gills from Trójmiejski Landscape Park contained Hg at greater concentration compared to other sites. Also presented is a review of data on Hg contents of the genus Russula (41 species, both edible and inedible to man) collected from across the world.

Comparison of two acid extraction methods for determination of minerals in soils beneath to Larch Bolete (Suillus grevillei) and aimed to estimate minerals sequestration potential in fruiting bodies.

In this study a two simple and one-step extraction methods were compared for the evaluation of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn accessibility in the soils to Larch Boletes (Suillus grevillei) mushrooms. Determination of chemical elements examined was by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The extractable amounts of minerals from soil when analyzed by both extraction methods (25 % nitric acid "v/v" and 0.43 mol/L acetic acid solutions) correlated significantly with minerals content of Larch Bolete's fruiting bodies. Nitric acid solution used has shown its better capacity as stronger extractor elements than acetic acid. Nevertheless, the Larch Bolete more efficiently take-ups many metallic elements from soil (and sequester them in fruiting bodies), when compared to a leaching potential of both reagents examined, while for some elements availability seem to be limited or take-up and translocation is actively regulated by the mycelium. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Environmental Science and Health: Part A to view the free supplemental file.

Mercury in Red Aspen Boletes (Leccinum aurantiacum) mushrooms and the soils.

This communication reports data on the mercury contents of Red Aspen Boletes (Leccinum aurantiacum) mushrooms and the forest soils substrate layer (0-10 cm) underneath the fruit bodies collected from nine spatially distant sites across Poland. Total Hg concentration in soil substrate in seven of the nine sites studied varied from 0.0078 ± 0.0012 to 0.028 ± 0.007 µg/g dry weight (dw) and this could be considered baseline concentrations for uncontaminated forest soils in Poland. The arithmetic mean of mercury in Red Aspen Bolete caps varied, depending on the site from 0.27 ± 0.07 to 1.3 ± 0.6 µg/g dw. The lowest Hg contents in soil (0.011 ± 0.006 µg/g and 0.009 ± 0.002 µg/g) were observed for the sites of Wandalin and Opole Lubelskie (from Lubelska Upland region) with the corresponding highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) values of 130 ± 66 and 110 ± 13 for the mushroom caps and 58 ± 29 and 64 ± 8 for the stipes, respectively. The BCF values in caps showed a downward trend with increasing mercury content of soil. A meal of 300 g of fresh caps of Red Aspen Bolete from Aleksandrów Kujawski region could expose a consumer to 8.1 µg Hg, while this will be 39 µg at the Lubelska Upland amounting to 39 and 186 % of daily Hg reference dose, respectively.

Mercury in European Blushers, Amanita rubescens, mushrooms and topsoils: bioconcentration potential and intake assessment.

Total mercury content has been determined in fruiting bodies of European Blushers and topsoils collected from 11 sites across Poland in 2006-2008. Mercury analysis was carried out using a validated analytical method and cold-vapour atomic absorption (CV-AAS). The European Blusher effectively accumulated mercury in fruiting bodies. The mean values of total mercury in caps of European Blushers from background (uncontaminated) areas were from 0.22 to 1.0 (0.067-3.2) and in stipes from 0.16 to 0.65 (0.071-2.7) µg/g dry weight. In topsoil beneath to fruiting bodies, the median Hg concentration at 10 sites in Northern Poland varied between 0.030 and 0.072 (0.0096-0.19) µg/g dw, and in one site in Southern Poland was 0.20 (0.079-0.34) µg/g dw. Data on Hg in European Blushers from different countries were reviewed. The mean concentrations of total Hg in caps of European Blushers from two "pristine" sites in northern part of Poland were ∼1.0 µg/g dw. A meal made with 300-500 g of fresh caps of European Blushers collected at such sites (assuming 90% water content in caps) can result in Hg intake of 0.0003-0.0005 mg Hg/kg bm (assuming a 60 kg bm), which is a dose equipotent to a new provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value set for inorganic Hg.

Levels and sources of planar and non-planar PCBs in pine needles across Poland.

Under a small project, one-year-old Scots Pine needles collected from 25 spatially distant sites were examined in monitoring the extent of environmental diffusion and possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in ambient air, their depositions and uptake by plants in Poland. The congener-specific determination of planar and non-planar chlorobiphenyls was achieved by isotope dilution HRGC-HRMS method after a highly refined extraction on multi-layer column of silica gel and alumina layer and clean-up, and fractionations, followed by Hypercarb-HPLC and PYE-HPLC sub-fractionation steps. Contents of 117 chlorobiphenyls determined in pine needles varied for the 25 sites studied and is between 2.7 and 49 ng/g wet weight. The PCBs pollution and congener-specific composition of pine needles to some degree varied according to the site or region surveyed depending on population density and industrialization. Many of the country-side areas showed lower concentrations between 2.7 and 8.9 ng/g ww. Pine needles in areas close to well populated and industrial regions of Opole, Kutno, Wloclawek and Debica showed the highest PCB pollution with concentrations varying between 30 and 49 ng/g ww. The Kutno site showed the highest pollution and this fact probably can be explained by possible emission from transformer manufactures located at some distance west of the Kutno area. Factor analysis (FA) and depending on the site revealed on relationship of PCBs composition of pine needles both with highly chlorinated PCB constituents of the mixtures such as Chlorofen, Aroclor 1254, Aroclor 1268 and Sovol but also of lower chlorinated PCB constituents of Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1248, Clophen A40 or Delor 103. Thermal processes were considered a less significant source of PCBs in ambient air over Poland compared to evaporative sources related to technical PCB formulations. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Environmental Science and Health: Part A to view the free supplemental file.

Metals in edible fish from Vistula River and Dead Vistula River channel, Baltic Sea.

Metals including Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were determined in muscle tissue of 12 fish species by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and cold vapour-atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). Fish were collected from Vistula River at lower course and Dead Vistula River channel in south of Baltic Sea in Poland. The fish species examined include Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus), Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius), Bull-rout (Myoxocephalus scorpius), Tench (Tinca tinca), Bream (Abramis brama), Burbot (Lota lot), Perch (Perca perca), Roach (Rutilus rutilus), Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Pikeperch (Stizostediun lucioperca), Brown salmon (Salmo trutta m. Trutta) and Eel (Anguilla anguilla). The median values of metal concentrations in fresh muscle tissue of 11 fish species varied as follows: Al < 0.5-60; Ba < 0.05-0.31; Ca 120-1800; Cd < 0.05-0.096; Co < 0.10; Cr < 0.10-0.50; Cu < 0.15-0.77; Fe 1.5-21; Hg 0.0058-0.65; K 1800-4200; Mg 130-560; Mn 0.12-0.59; Na 350-840; Ni < 0.2-0.31; Pb < 0.75; Sr 0.079-2.9; Zn 3.3-23 µg/g fresh weight. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values calculated in this study for Cd and Hg from muscles of fish species collected from Vistula River were low in the range of 0.4 for Hg and 0.8 for Cd.

Determination of perfluorinated alkylated substances in sediments and sediment core from the Gulf of Gdansk, Baltic Sea.

Perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) have been determined in surface sediments and sediment core from Gulf of Gdansk, Baltic Sea. Perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulphonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), perfluoronanoate (PFNA), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), perfluoroundecanote (PFUnDA), perfluorododecanoate (PFDoDA) and perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA) were quantified after isotopic dilution ((13)C(4) PFOS and (13)C(4) PFOA), liquid-liquid extractions by methanol and acetonitrile, cleanup by Envi-Carb, OasisWAX and Envi-Carb and final measurement by HPLC-MS/MS. PFOS, PFHxS, PFUnDA, PFDA, PFNA and PFOA were found in Baltic Sea sediments in concentrations exceeding the method limit of quantification (LOQ) of 2 pg/g. PFOS was detected in concentration up to 0.896 ng/g dry weight and PFHxS up to 0.326 ng/g dw, which shows on a weak pollution. PFOS (48-74%) or PFHxS (45-56%) dominated in PFAS composition of sediments surveyed. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of the Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A to view the free supplemental file.

Temporal variability in 20 chemical elements content of Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) collected from two sites over a few years.

Mature specimens of Parasol Mushroom were collected annually in the outskirts of the Siemiany (2000-2003) and Rafa (2001-2003) sites in the northern part of Poland to examine temporal variations and similarities in the composition of 20 chemical elements. Analysis was done under the same condition and using well-validated analytical methods. Elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and cold vapour-atomic absorption spectroscopy (Hg). The ranges of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr and Zn concentrations in the caps of fruiting bodies were similar (p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test) for both geographically distant sites, and these specimens from Rafa were more contaminated with Pb (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). The annual collections of caps in the Siemiany site varied in Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Na, Rb and Sr and contents (0.05 < p < 0.001), while they were similar in Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn (p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). The annual collections of specimens from the Rafa site varied in contents of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, P, Rb and Zn (p > 0.05), while they were similar in Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Na, Ni, Pb and Sr (p < 0.05). The results of this study imply that metallic elements content of Parasol Mushroom collected at the same undisrupted sites, and hence keeping the same geochemical condition for mushroom development and fructification (the same stands and probably the same mycelia), can fluctuate over the years or the life-span of mycelium. Hence, when assessing the nutritional value of essential metallic elements and status of non-essential or toxic metallic elements in Parasol's Mushroom caps (and probably also of other mushrooms species) to man, the possible fluctuation in contents over time have to be taken into account.

Multivariate analysis of mineral constituents of edible Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and soils beneath fruiting bodies collected from Northern Poland.

Caps and stipes of 141 fruiting bodies of Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and surface layer of soils collected from 11 spatially distant and background (pristine) areas in Northern Poland were analyzed for Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, and Zn by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. In terms of bioconcentration and bioexclusion concept, K, Ag, Cu, Rb, and P were highly bioconcentrated in caps, and their bioconcentration factor values varied for the 11 sites between 120 and 500-67-420, 70-220, 10-170, and 45-100, respectively. Cd, Zn, Mg, and Na showed bioconcentration factors (BCFs) between 3.3 and 36, 3.7-15, 0.92-6.3, and 1.4-44 while Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Sr were excluded (BCF < 1). The Parasol Mushroom is a species harvested in the wild, and its caps are of unique taste and can contain a spectrum of essential and hazardous mineral compounds accumulated at elevated concentrations, even if collected at the background (pristine) areas. These elevated mineral concentrations of the caps are due to the efficient bioconcentration potential of the species (K, Ag, Cu, Rb, P, Cd, Zn, Mg, and Na) and abundance in the soil substrates (Al, Ca, Fe, Mn). The estimated intake rates of Cd, Hg, and Pb contained in Parasol Mushroom's caps show a cause for concern associated with these metals resulting from the consumption of between 300- and 500-g caps daily, on a frequent basis in the mushrooming season.

Profile of trace elements in Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) from Tucholskie Forest.

The aim of this study was to determine 19 elements contents and bioconcentration potential in fruiting bodies of Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) collected from the Tucholskie Forest complex in Poland. Also discussed were Cd, Pb and Hg contents of edible caps in relation to the current regulatory standards. K, P and Mg were particularly abundant in caps and stipes, median values were 38-49, 13, and 1.6-1.6 mg/g dry weight, and followed by Ca, Na and Rb at 110-540, 44-240 and 20-50 µg/g dw, respectively. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were from less than 50 to 180 µg/g dw, while concentrations of other elements were ∼l.0 µg/g dw or less. Cu, K, Ag, Cd, Na, Rb, Zn and Hg were bioconcentrated (BCF >1), while Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Co, Sr, Pb and Cr were not bioaccumulated (BCF <1). Cd and Pb content of Parasol Mushroom's edible caps collected from some sites in the Tucholskie Forest exceed the maximum levels set in the EU for cultivated mushrooms.

The determination of mercury in mushrooms by CV-AAS and ICP-AES techniques.

This research presents an example of an excellent applied study on analytical problems due to hazardous mercury determination in environmental materials and validity of published results on content of this element in wild growing mushrooms. The total mercury content has been analyzed in a several species of wild-grown mushrooms and some herbal origin certified reference materials, using two analytical methods. One method was commonly known and well validated the cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) after a direct sample pyrolysis coupled to the gold wool trap, which was a reference method. A second method was a procedure that involved a final mercury measurement using the inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) at λ 194.163 nm, which was used by some authors to report on a high mercury content of a large sets of wild-grown mushrooms. We found that the method using the ICP-AES at λ 194.163 nm gave inaccurate and imprecise results. The results of this study imply that because of unsuitability of total mercury determination using the ICP-AES at λ 194.163 nm, the reports on great concentrations of this metal in a large sets of wild-grown mushrooms, when examined using this method, have to be studied with caution, since data are highly biased.

Variations in metal levels accumulated in Poison Pax (Paxillus involutus) mushroom collected at one site over four years.

K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Al, Fe, Mn, Rb, Cu, Sr, Ag, Ba, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, Cr and Hg content have been examined in caps and stipes of mature fruiting bodies of Poison Pax (Paxillus involutus) collected from the same site over 4 years in 1999-2002. Cluster analysis (CA) did indicate on a different composition of these mineral constituents in fruiting bodies that emerged in 1999 and 2000, when compared to 2001 and 2002. In light of principal component analysis (PCA), the metals differentiating these two biannual sets of fruiting bodies were Mn (greatest load to PC1) together with Ca, Fe, Al, Cu, Cd and Hg; Ni (greatest load to PC2) together with Zn, Sr, Ba, Pb and Co, and Ag (greatest load to PC3) together with Na. The elements such as Mg, Sr and Cr showed similar contents both in caps and stipes over four years (p > 0.05; U Mann-Whitney test). Depending on a year or years of collection, contents fluctuated (p < 0.05) for K, Ca, Zn, Al, Fe, Mn, Na, Rb, Cu, Ag, Ba, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co and Hg. The values of quotients for K, Ca, Mg, Na, Al, Ba, Rb, Cu, Sr, Mn, Co, Cr and Ni content between caps and stipes (Q(C/S)) remained constant (p > 0.05) over four years, and for Fe, Ag, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb fluctuated (p < 0.05). The results of this study imply that a potential of mycelium to up-take metallic elements from substratum and their further transportation within fruiting body and sequestration in Poison Pax, even at a stabile geochemical condition (the same stand and probably the same mycelia), can fluctuate over the years or the life-span of mycelium.

Selenium and 17 other largely essential and toxic metals in muscle and organ meats of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)--consequences to human health.

Concentrations, composition and interrelationships of selenium and metallic elements (Ag, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Mn, Mo, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, Tl, V and Zn) have been examined in muscle and organ meats of Red Deer hunted in Poland. The analytical data obtained were also discussed in terms of Se supplementation and deficit to Deer as well as the benefits and risk to humans associated with the essential and toxic metals intake resulting from consumption of Deer meat and products. These elements were determined in 20 adult animals of both sexes that were obtained in the 2000/2001 hunting season from Warmia and Mazury in the north-eastern part of Poland. The whole kidneys contained Ba, Cd, Cr, Ga, Pb, Se, Sr and Tl at statistically greater concentrations than liver or muscle tissue from the same animal. Liver showed statistically greater concentrations of Ag, Co, Cu, Mn and Mo than kidneys or muscle tissue, and muscle tissue was richer in Zn, when compared to the kidneys or liver. Cs and Rb were similarly distributed between all three tissue types, while V was less abundant in liver than kidneys or muscle tissue. There were significant associations between some metallic elements retained in Red Deer demonstrated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the data set. In organ and muscle meats (kidneys, liver and muscle tissue considered together) the first principal component (PC1) was strongly influenced by positively correlated variables describing Se, Ba and Cd and negatively correlated variables describing Ag, Co, Cs, Mn, Pb, Tl and V; PC2, respectively, by Cu, Mn and Mo (+) and Zn (-); PC3 by Ga (+) and PC4 by Sb (+). Selenium occurred in muscle tissue, liver and kidneys at median concentrations of 0.13, 0.19 and 4.0mg/g dry weight, respectively. These values can be defined as marginally deficient (< 0.6mg Se/kg liver dw) or satisfactory (≤ 3.0mg Se/kg kidneys dw) for the amount required to maintain the Deer's body condition and health, depending on the criterion for supplementation used. In terms of human nutritional needs, a relatively high selenium content of kidneys can be beneficial. The muscle meat, liver and kidneys of Red Deer can be considered as a very good source of essential Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Mn, Se and Zn in the human diet. Lead is generally considered as toxic, and the concentrations found in Red Deer (via the food chain intake) were well below the European Union tolerance limit. Pb from the lead bullets can always create food hygienic problem, if not well recognized during sanitary inspection, and this was noted for one muscle meat sample in this study (5% surveyed). There is no tolerance limit of Cd in game animal meats. The median values of Cd noted in fresh muscle tissue, liver and whole kidneys were 0.07, 0.18, and 3.3mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Cd exists as a chemical element present at trace levels in plants and mushrooms in Deer's food chain in background (uncontaminated) areas. When these are consumed by the Deer, the amount of Cd sequestered with metallothioneins and retained in the organ and muscle meat in this study is low enough to be considered safe for human consumption.

Bioconcentration potential of metallic elements by Poison Pax (Paxillus involutus) mushroom.

Bioconcentration potential of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, Pb, Rb and Zn by Pioson Pax (Paxillus involutus) fungus was investigated in field collections of mushrooms from 12 geographically distant sites in Poland. Caps, stipes and soil (0-15 cm layer) underneath to the fruiting bodies were examined. Inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used to determine the total metallic elements content. Both "labile" (cold 20% HNO(3) extraction) and "pseudo-total" (cold and hot 65% HNO(3) extraction) fractions of metallic elements of soil were determined. K, Rb and Cu were effectively bio-concentrated by Poison Pax in caps and their BCF values were 1000 ± 520, 740 ± 540 and 100 ± 79, and less were Zn, Na, Mg and Ni with BCF of 40 ± 28, 33 ± 23, 18 ± 10 and 1.9 ± 1.4, respectively. Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr and Pb were bio-excluded (BCF < 1 in caps and stipes). The "labile" Ag, Cd and Hg content of soil was below detection limit of the analytical method. Ba, Ca, Mn, Na and Sr were more eficiently bio-concentrated in stipes of Poison Pax, while Fe, Mg, Pb and Rb in caps, and Al, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Ni and Zn similarly in caps and stipes. Also Ag and Cd (and Hg) were more effectively bio-concentrated in caps than stipes. Al, Ba, Fe and Pb were bio-excluded by Poison Pax (BCF < 0.2) but were abundant minerals of soil and more or less abundant also in carpophores. Some intermetallic relationships (co-uptake and binding) are evident for Poison Pax. The amount of "labile" fraction of metallic elements contained in soil doesn't seem to explain the Poisson's Pax accumulation potential for these elements. Biological features of species, which are related to its ability to enable, enhance or reduce uptake of metallic elements by mycelium and further translocation and binding in carpophores but in parallel also translocation to symbiotic plant can be major forces impacting amounts accumulated in caps and stipes. Metallic elements concentrations determined in fruiting bodies seem to explain in the best way what is largely bioavailable from the substrate in situ to a given mushroom species.

Survey on composition and bioconcentration potential of 12 metallic elements in King Bolete (Boletus edulis) mushroom that emerged at 11 spatially distant sites.

This paper provides data on baseline concentrations, interrelationships and bioconcentration potential of 12 metallic elements by King Bolete collected from 11 spatially distant sites across Poland. There are significant differences in concentrations of metals (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr, Zn) and their bioconcentration potential in King Bolete Boletus edulis at 11 spatially distant sites surveyed across Poland. These have resulted from significant geographical differences in trace metal concentrations in a layer (0-10 cm) of organic and mineral soil underneath to fruiting bodies and possible local bioavailabilities of macro- (Ca, K, Mg, Na) and trace metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, Zn) to King Bolete. The use of highly appreciated wild-grown edible King Bolete mushroom has established a baseline measure of regional minerals status, heavy metals pollution and assessment of intake rates for wild mushroom dish fanciers against which future changes can be compared. Data on Cd, Cu and Zn from this study and from literature search can be useful to set the maximum limit of these metals in King Bolete collected from uncontaminated (background) areas. In this report also reviewed are data on Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn accumulation in King Bolete.