Element contents and health risk assessment in wild edible mushrooms of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The content of macro- and microelements in dry samples of mushrooms of the species Macrolepiota procera, Boletus edulis and Cantharellus cibarius, collected at different areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was determined using the ICP-OES method (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Of the macroelements, K is the most represented, followed by S, P, Mg, and the least represented Ca and Na. Zn is the most represented of the essential microelements, followed by Fe, Se, Cu, Mn and Co. Al is the most abundant of the other trace elements followed by Ni and Cr. Of the toxic metals, the most represented is Cd, followed by Pb and As. There are differences in the concentration of micro- and macroelements in the mushrooms analysed, depending on the area from which they were collected because natural geology and geochemistry influence the content of macro- and microelements in wild edible mushrooms. The results show that the analysed mushrooms can be considered a good source of essential elements. The study also assessed potential health risks of heavy metals and the target hazard quotient (THQ) for As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr in the analysed mushrooms was lower than the safe level. The carcinogenic risk index revealed that Cd and Ni are the most prevalent pollutants in the mushrooms studied.

Heavy metals content and health risk assessment of selected leafy plants consumed in Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…To assess the human health risk of heavy metals, it is necessary to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) according to the Eq. 1 (Liu et al 2021, Salihović et al 2021 where: c hm -mean concentrations of heavy metals in plant samples (mg/kg); IR -daily consumption of leafy plants for adults and children is 2.44E-01 and 1.86E-01 kg/person/ day, respectively (Liu et al 2021); EF -exposure frequency (365 days/year); ED -exposure duration for adults 30 years, and for children 7 years; ET -exposure time is calculated as 365 × ED; BW -body weight (70 kg for adults and 26 kg for children) (Liu et al 2021, Pazalja et al 2022.…”

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

“…Heavy metals in excess of regulatory limits, on the other hand, are poisonous and have a negative impact on human health. 11,12 Wild edible mushrooms Morchella esculenta L., 1753 and Lactarius piperatus (L.) Pers., 1797, are popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). 13 They were collected in B&H's cities Visoko and Rudo.…”