Determination of trace elements in three mushroom samples of basidiomycetes from Shandong, China

We have determined the trace element composition of three mushrooms of Basidiomycetes, used in traditional Chinese medicine using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Metal concentrations in mushrooms were 203-401 mg/kg for iron, 22-51 mg/kg for manganese, 84-116 mg/kg for zinc, 24.1-41.3 mg/kg for copper, 1.6-5.6 mg/kg for lead, 3.3-4.4 mg/kg for chromium, 9.3-11.5 mg/kg for nickel, 0 mg/kg for vanadium, and 55.3-71 mg/kg for magnesium. The trace metal concentrations in mushrooms are hardly affected by the ecosystem and soil where they grew, as well as by the mushroom species and trace metal species. The results can be used to set new standards to control the quality of the three mushrooms of Basidiomycetes-Ganoderma lucidum, Coprinus comatus, and Grifola frondosa.