Validation of microwave digestion method for determination of trace metals in mushrooms

A microwave digestion method for mushrooms, developed in the study, allows fast preparation of samples and reduces the contamination risk in the process of determining trace metals. Concentrations of six trace elements, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd were measured in 50 samples of different species of edible mushrooms (fam. Boletaceae) using atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave and dry ashing procedure. The methods were validated through certified Standard Reference Material SRM 1577b (Bovine Liver) which was treated and analysed using the same procedures as for the mushrooms. The samples were either digested with concentrated HNO3 in closed Teflon PFA vessels in a microwave oven, or ashed in quartz crucibles at 450 degrees C. The respective recoveries of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd obtained by measuring SRM were 112, 107, 104, 115, 111 and 95% after microwave digestion procedure and 86, 101, 109, 111, 98, and 110% after dry ashing procedure. The correlation between concentrations obtained by the two different methods of sample preparation was high for all metals.