Dried Wild-Grown Mushrooms Can Be Considered a Source of Selected Minerals

Abstract

Dried mushrooms might be a source of mineral components, which are indispensable for human health. The aim of this study was to determine the contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) in dried wild-grown mushrooms (Boletus edulis and Xerocomus badius) available for sale, and to evaluate these mushrooms’ contribution to the daily reference intake of the studied bioelements. The concentrations of mineral components in the mushroom samples were determined by the flame method (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and the electrothermal (Se) atomic absorption spectrometry method. The mean Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn (in mg/kg), and Se concentrations (in µg/kg) in B. edulis were 82.1, 964.1, 233.4, 97.9, 25.3, 22.1, and 6501.6, respectively, whereas in X. badius: 67.5, 1060.2, 87.8, 197.2, 33.9, 19.8, and 282.4, respectively. We have shown that dried B. edulis can be considered a source of Se. In the case of the other microelements, the tested mushrooms may serve only as additional supplements. Therefore, the studied species of mushrooms cannot be regarded as potential nutritional sources of the macroelements in question. Consumers should be properly informed about this, which should be guaranteed by appropriate legal regulations.

Mushrooms as future generation healthy foods

“…Although a mineral deficiency is rare, some mushrooms are a rich source of specific minerals (e.g., selenium, magnesium, and zinc), which may play a direct or indirect role in their anti-influenza properties, performing a crucial role in boosting the immune system and preventing the viral infections, and preserving the homeostasis process in the human body ( 128 ). Dried mushrooms might be a source of mineral components indispensable for human health ( 129 ).…”

“…The mechanism of action may be achieved through a reduction in both postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, but also an increase of magnesium which plays a key role in regulating insulin action, insulin-mediated-glucose-uptake, and vascular tone. Magnesium electrolyte is a co-factor for enzymes regulating insulin and glucose metabolism, such as tyrosine kinase, and occurs in high levels (9%) in raw mushrooms ( 129 ).…”