Multielemental analysis of 20 mushroom species growing near a heavily trafficked road in Poland.

The aim of this work was to compare 10 mostly edible aboveground and 10 wood-growing mushroom species collected near a heavily trafficked road (approximately 28,000 vehicles per 24 h) in Poland with regard to their capacity to accumulate 26 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, In, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Re, Sb, Se, Sr, Te, Tl, and Zn) in their fruit bodies in order to illustrate mushroom diversity in element accumulation. All analyses were performed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) spectrometer in synchronous dual view mode. The aboveground species had significantly higher levels of 12 elements, including Ag, As, Pb, and Se, compared to the wood-growing species. An opposite relationship was observed only for Au, Ba, and Sr. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) implied some new relationships among the analyzed species and elements. Of the analyzed mushroom species, lead content in Macrolepiota procera would seem to pose a health risk; however, at present knowledge regarding lead bioaccessibility from mushrooms is quite limited.

Changes in the content of biologically active polyamines during beef loin storage and cooking.

Dietary polyamines putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in numerous human physiological processes, including tumour growth. Reliable information on their contents in foods is thus needed. Data for processed beef are very limited. Nine experiments with beef loin (longissimus lumborum) were, therefore, carried out. Loin cuts were stored at -18°C for 178 days or beef was stored aerobically, vacuum-packaged (VP) and packaged in a modified atmosphere (MA; 70% N(2) and 30% CO(2), v/v) at +2°C for 9, 21 and 21 days, respectively. The effects of three usual cooking treatments were also tested. Polyamines were determined after extraction with perchloric acid as dansyl derivatives using an HPLC method. Only SPM was detected at initial levels of 23.5-27.5mgkg(-1), PUT and SPD contents were below the detection limits of 1.2 and 1.7mgkg(-1), respectively. SPM content increased during the initial weeks of frozen storage and then gradually decreased to about 70% of the initial values at the end of the storage period (P<0.05). No apparent SPM decrease was observed during aerobic storage for 9 days, while in VP and MA variants the losses were about 20% of the initial values on day 21 (P<0.05). Slightly higher mean SPM losses were observed during boiling and stewing with and without added water. The differences among the cooking treatments were not significant. However, significant differences were observed among the loins used.

Biologically active polyamines in pig kidneys and spleen: Content after slaughter and changes during cold storage and cooking.

Polyamines putrescine, spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) were determined as dansyl derivatives using an HPLC method. Distribution of SPD and SPM in pair kidneys was homogenous. The mean SPD and SPM contents in pig kidneys 24h after slaughter were 9.39±3.35 and 53.1±14.0mgkg(-1), respectively with no significant differences between barrows and gilts. Putrescine content was below the detection limit of 1.2mgkg(-1). In kidneys stored aerobically or vacuum-packaged at 2-3°C for 7 and 21 days, respectively, SPD and SPM decreased significantly. Stewing decreased both polyamines more extensively in kidneys processed on day-1 after slaughter than on day-7 after storage at 2-3°C. The mean SPD and SPM in 10 spleens 24h after slaughter were 36.7±5.70 and 34.0±7.64mgkg(-1), respectively. Thus, both pork kidney and spleen are foods with a high level of SPM and SPD.

Changes in the content of biologically active polyamines during storage and cooking of pig liver.

Dietary polyamines putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in numerous human physiological processes, including tumour growth. Eight experiments with pig liver were carried out. In two, livers were stored at -18°C for 168 days, in four, livers were stored aerobically (AE), vacuum-packaged (VP) and packaged in a modified atmosphere (MO; 70% N(2) and 30% CO(2), v/v) at +2°C for 9, 21 and 21 days, respectively, and in two, the effects of four cooking treatments were tested. Polyamines were determined as dansyl derivatives using an HPLC method. Distribution of both SPD and SPM in the four main liver lobes was homogenous. The initial SPD and SPM contents in 14 livers 24h after slaughter were 23.3±6.7 and 94.5±19.6mgkg(-1), respectively. The putrescine content was below the limit of detection. The content of SPD and SPM decreased during frozen-storage to about 70% of the initial values. On day-9 of storage, mean SPD and SPM contents decreased to about 85% of the initial values in livers stored in MO and to about 75-80% in AE and VP at 2°C. The decrease continued more extensively in VP than in MO. PUT was detected from day-15 of VP and MO storage. There was a significant decrease in SPD and SPM, to about 70-60% of the initial content during cooking.

Biologically active polyamines in beef, pork and meat products: A review.

Dietary polyamines (PAs) putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in an array of roles in human metabolism. Nevertheless, under some physiological conditions they can be undesirable. Meat and meat products are among important sources of PAs in human nutrition, mainly of SPM. The usual contents of PUT, SPD and SPM in fresh beef and pork are <2, <5 and 20-40mgkg(-1), respectively. Current information on changes of PAs during meat storage corresponds with PUT formation by bacterial activity mainly of pseudomonads and Enterobacteriaceae. However, data on SPD and SPM changes during meat chill-storage have been inconsistent. Culinary processing of meat probably does not change SPD and SPM levels. PUT can be formed in different meat products in relation to the microbial population of the raw materials used and the hygienic level of manufacturing process. SPD and SPM contents seem to remain stable during processing of non-fermented meat products or decrease during dry-cured ham ripening. PUT contents increase commonly to 60-140mgkg(-1) in dry spontaneously fermented sausages, however, contents up to several hundreds mgkg(-1) are not extraordinary. Starter cultures are usually able to decrease PUT formation considerably. SPD and SPM contents in dry fermented sausages are comparable with levels typical for fresh meat. Data on SPD and SPM changes during ripening and storage are inconsistent. A decrease of the both polyamines during a storage period has been usually reported.

Content of biologically active polyamines in livers of cattle, pigs and chickens after animal slaughter.

Dietary polyamines putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in an array of important human physiological roles, including tumour growth. Physicians and dieticians thus need reliable information on polyamine contents in foods. However, data for livers are lacking. We determined therefore the content of these polyamines 24h after slaughter in livers of young bulls, cows, pigs and chicken in 58, 19, 36 and 38 samples, respectively. Polyamines were determined as N-benzamides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Mean PUT contents about 25mgkg(-1) were found in cattle livers, while very low or negligible contents were determined in livers of the other animals. Extremely high mean SPD contents of 122 and 161mgkg(-1) were found in livers of bulls and cows, respectively and mean levels of 32 and 57mgkg(-1) in livers of pigs and chicken. An opposite relation was observed for SPM. Its mean contents were 43, 35, 115 and 120mgkg(-1) for bulls, cows, pigs and chicken livers, respectively. Thus, livers of the tested animal species belong among foods with the highest polyamine contents. However, the contents ranged very widely, that makes application of the results for the control of human nutrition rather difficult. Polyamine contents in bovine blood were found to be below the detection limits of 2.1, 1.0 and 1.4mgkg(-1) for PUT, SPD and SPM, respectively. Thus, the blood content did not contribute to the substantial polyamine contents in bovine liver found in this study.

The effects of lactic acid bacteria inoculants and formic acid on the formation of biogenic amines in grass silages.

Silages were prepared in six laboratory experiments from four direct-cut grassland swards and pure swards of perennial ryegrass and false oat with dry matter contents ranging between 180 and 325 g/kg. Grass was fermented at 22 degrees C and silages were stored at the same temperature for 4 months. Untreated silages (negative control) and silages preserved with 3 g/kg of formic acid (positive control) were compared with silages inoculated with commercial strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri and a mixed preparation Microsil. The inoculants were applied at a dose of 5.10(6) CFU/g of grass. Seven biogenic amines were extracted from silages with perchloric acid and determined as N-benzamides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Common chemical quality parameters of silages were also determined. Tyramine, cadaverine and putrescine were the amines occurring at the highest concentration. As compared to untreated silages, formic acid was most effective to suppress formation of the main amines. Also the inoculants often decreased amine contents significantly (P < 0.05). The inoculants decreased levels of polyamine spermidine more efficiently than formic acid. Contents of histamine, tryptamine and polyamine spermine were very low, commonly below the detection limits.

The effects of using lactic acid bacteria inoculants in maize silage on the formation of biogenic amines.

Silages from five ripened varieties of silage maize with dry matter contents ranging between 275 and 410 g/kg were prepared in five laboratory experiments. Whole-plant maize was fermented at 22 degrees C and silages were then stored at the same temperature for 4 months. Spontaneously fermented silages were prepared as control variants and compared with silages inoculated with commercial strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobzcillus buchneri and a mixed preparation Microsil containing L. plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus pentosaceus. The starter cultures were applied at doses 5 x 10(5) and 5 x 10(6) CFU/g of chopped maize. Seven biogenic amines and polyamines were extracted from silages with perchloric acid and determined as N-benzamides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Common chemical criteria of silage quality were also determined. All three inoculants, mainly at the higher dose, decreased significantly contents of tyramine, putrescine and cadaverine, three undesirable amines occurring at the highest levels. L. plantarum was the most effective. Contents of histamine and tryptamine were low in all experimental silages. Also relatively low were levels of polyamines spermidine and mainly of spermine.

Concentrations of mercury, cadmium, lead and copper in fruiting bodies of edible mushrooms in an emission area of a copper smelter and a mercury smelter.

Four metals were determined by AAS techniques in 56 samples of 23 wild mushroom species collected in a heavily polluted area in eastern Slovakia in 1997 and 1998. The area has been contaminated from historical polymetallic ores mining and smelting and by emissions from a mercury smelter between 1969 and 1993 and from a copper smelter since 1951. No significant differences in metal concentrations (P < 0.05) were found in four species when comparing the periods 1992-1993 and 1997-1998. Considerable contamination of most species was observed mainly for mercury and cadmium. The highest levels of mercury, up to 50 mg kg-1 dry matter, were found in Boletus reticulatus, Lycoperdon perlatum and Marasmius oreades, and of cadmium up to 20 mg kg-1 dry matter in Xerocomus chrysenteron and Lycoperdon perlatum. The latter species also had extremely high lead and copper concentrations in hundreds of milligrams per kilogram dry matter. Concentrations of mercury and copper in caps of four Boletaceae species were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in stipes.

Concentrations of mercury, copper, cadmium and lead in fruiting bodies of edible mushrooms in the vicinity of a mercury smelter and a copper smelter.

Four elements were determined in wild growing mushrooms collected in the vicinity of two metal smelters up to a distance of 6 km between 1990 and 1993. The smelters in eastern Slovakia are 15 km apart. Elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in 113 samples of 34 species. The values observed in mushrooms from different parts of Bohemia were used as the background levels. Concentrations of mercury were extremely high in mushrooms grown in the mercury smelter area, especially those in Lepiota procera with mean and maximal values of 119 and 200 mg kg-1 dry matter, respectively. Considerably elevated mercury concentrations were also found in the copper smelter area, especially in Lepista nuda with a mean value 84.7 mg kg-1 dry matter. In both species there were also increased copper concentrations exceeding 200 mg kg-1 dry matter and in the copper smelter area there were high lead values in Lepiota procera and Lepista nuda at 26.4 and 15.3 mg kg-1 dry matter, respectively. Mean cadmium concentrations were also increased in the copper smelter area, but with values < 7 mg kg-1 dry matter. Thus, the mushrooms from both areas should not be consumed at all.

Biogenic amines in silage. 3. The occurrence of six biogenic amines in farm-scale grass and maize silages.

Concentrations of putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD), spermine (SPM), histamine (HIS) and tyramine (TYR) in 53 grass silages and 54 maize silages were determined using an HPLC method. Concentrations of all amines excluding SPD in grass silages decreased significantly with increasing dry matter (DM) contents and decreasing acetic acid concentrations. The mean concentrations were 1310, 642, 414, 139, 120 and 33.6 mg/kg for TYR, CAD, PUT, SPM, HIS and SPD respectively in grass silages of 20-30% DM. The maximal values found were twice to five times higher than the mean values. The effect of increasing DM on the amines concentrations was not evident in maize silages. The mean concentrations, regardless of the DM content, were surprisingly high: 435, 388, 341, 71.7, 25.1 and 5.4 mg/kg for TYR, PUT, CAD, HIS, SPD and SPM. The maximal values in maize silages were three times to ten times higher than the mean values. Considering that maize silage forms the great proportion of the diets of cattle during long-term winter feeding, further toxicological and physiological research should be carried out.

Concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury and copper in mushrooms in the vicinity of a lead smelter.

The concentrations of four heavy metals in 149 samples of mushroom fruiting bodies, representing 11 species, mainly all edible, were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mushrooms were collected up to a distance of 6 km from a lead smelter in central Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) in operation since 1786. Lead was accumulated extensively by Lepiota rhacodes and Lepista nuda. Among other species, significant accumulation was found up to a distance of 1 km from the source. Concentrations of greater than 100 mg kg-1 dry matter were often determined. The safe limit of 5 mg kg-1 dry matter was exceeded in most samples collected at distances of up to 6 km from the source. Concentrations of cadmium in the polluted area were generally significantly higher than in other parts of Bohemia. Cadmium was extensively accumulated by the toxic Amanita muscaria, but also by the edible Boletus edulis and Amanita rubescens, with mean values 28.6, 15.2 and 12.3 mg Cd kg-1 dry matter, respectively. The Czechoslovakian statutory limit is 0.5 mg Cd kg-1 dry matter. Statistically significant linear correlations between lead and cadmium concentrations were found only for Boletus edulis and Paxillus involutus. Mercury was accumulated by Lepista nuda and Lepiota rhacodes; mean values of 11.9 and 6.5 mg Hg kg-1 dry matter, respectively, were found. Concentrations of mercury in most species from the study area were higher than in those from other parts of Bohemia. Lepiota rhacodes and Lepista nuda also accumulated copper extensively with mean values of 280 and 193 mg Cu kg-1 dry matter, respectively.