Edible Spruce (Morchella esculenta), Accumulator of Toxic Elements in the Environment

Abstract

In this study we examined the dried fruiting bodies of Morchella esculenta, collected in the area of the coal and biomass based thermal power plant in Vojany from the nearby Bahoň marsh, in the Slovak Republic. The area is characterized by a high environmental burden, especially because of air pollutant emissions from the power plant operation. Twenty-three (23) chemical elements were found in the dried fruiting bodies after microwave-assisted sample preparation using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer ICP-MS AGILENT 7500c system. The mercury content was determined employing a special AMA 254 apparatus intended for the determination of Hg directly in dry powdered fruiting bodies without microwave digestion. The content of toxic elements expressed in mg.kg−1 DW (dry weight) were as follows: Hg 0.048—0.052 (RSD—Relative Standard Deviation = 4.80 %); Cd 4.543—6.169 (RSD = 3.35 %); Pb 0.261—0.291 (RSD = 2.67 %); As 0.455—0.469 (RSD = 5.79 %); Cr 1.585—1.616 (RSD = 2.33 %); and Ni 8.166—9.276 (RSD = 3.03 %). The contents of cadmium, nickel and mercury exceeded the hygiene limits, while the contents of arsenic and lead approached the hygiene limits. Due to the high levels of toxic elements, the fruiting bodies collected in the location are not suitable for culinary purposes. The mushroom Morchella esculenta acts as an accumulator of toxic elements from the environment in which it grows and can be considered as an indicator of environmental pollution.

Micro- and Macroelements Content and Health Risk Assessment of Morchella esculenta and Lactarius piperatus from Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…The content of macroelements in mushrooms, such as Na, K, and P is approximately constant, while the content of Ca, Mg, and S varies depending on the composition of the substrate in which the mushroom grows. 32,33 The content of macroelement K was the highest in both mushroom species, followed by P and S. Our results for K content are consistent with the results of Strapáč et al 28 and Demirbaş. 31 Interestingly, our results indicated that Na content in both mushroom species was lower than those reported by Mohammad et al 30 and Demirbaş 31 .…”

“…Our results indicated that Se concentrations in M. esculenta and L. piperatus were higher than those reported by Strapáč et al 28 and Konuk et al 29 , but Cu concentrations were lower. Zinc (Zn) is one of the most abundant microelements in the mushrooms analyzed, but the concentrations were lower than those reported by Strapáč et al 28 and Konuk et al 29 .…”

“…Our results indicated that Se concentrations in M. esculenta and L. piperatus were higher than those reported by Strapáč et al 28 and Konuk et al 29 , but Cu concentrations were lower. Zinc (Zn) is one of the most abundant microelements in the mushrooms analyzed, but the concentrations were lower than those reported by Strapáč et al 28 and Konuk et al 29 . Furthermore, the macroelements concentrations of Co, Ni, and Al in both mushrooms matched those reported by Strapáč et al 28 and Konuk et al 29 , while the Fe and Mn concentrations were similar to those found by Mohammad et al 30 and Demirbaş, 31 respectively.…”

“…Low concentrations of Na and the presence of large amounts of K in the tested mushroom samples allow their use in an antihypertensive diet. 35 Furthermore, our results showed that the Ca content in both mushroom species was higher, but the Mg content was lower compared to that published by Strapáč et al 28 and Demirbaş. 31 It is well understood that high concentrations of some essential microelements may be toxic.…”

“…Zinc (Zn) is one of the most abundant microelements in the mushrooms analyzed, but the concentrations were lower than those reported by Strapáč et al 28 and Konuk et al 29 . Furthermore, the macroelements concentrations of Co, Ni, and Al in both mushrooms matched those reported by Strapáč et al 28 and Konuk et al 29 , while the Fe and Mn concentrations were similar to those found by Mohammad et al 30 and Demirbaş, 31 respectively. It's optimistic that the toxic microelement concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, and Pb) in mushrooms examined in this study were lower than those reported by Mohammad et al 30 , Demir- baş, 31 and Konuk et al 29 .…”