Concentration of selected trace elements in Xerocomus badius mushroom bodies - a health risk for humans?

As regards a significant intake of wild growing edible mushrooms, especially in East and Central Europe, concentrations of toxic elements should be periodically analysed. The aim of the study was to assess changes in concentrations of selected trace elements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn) in a mushroom species, Xerocomus badius.

Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies were collected from fi ve regions of Poland within the last 20 years (selected years when these mushrooms were growing). Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used for determination of 10 elements while for Hg cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) was used.

Generally the results show no significant differences in the accumulation efficiency of individual elements by mushrooms collected from different regions of Poland, but significant differences were observed in the accumulation efficiency of these elements by mushrooms collected in particular years of their harvest. The highest accumulation indicated by bioconcentration factors (BCFs) was observed for Cu (10.03), Hg (148.15) and Zn (4.88).

Concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn in the tested mushrooms were found to be lower than the values of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), therefore the levels of these elements are not toxic for people. In our opinion, occasional consumption of these mushroom fruiting bodies within the last 20 years in Poland did not provide significant amounts of analysed trace elements (no more than other foods).