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Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
Published on: September 1, 2017
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Arsenic speciation in edible mushrooms
Michelle M Nearing1, Iris Koch, Kenneth J Reimer
1Environmental Sciences Group, Royal Military College of Canada , P.O. Box 17000, Station Forces, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 7B4.
Environmental Science & Technology
|November 25, 2014
Summary
Mushrooms contain arsenobetaine (AB), a nontoxic arsenic compound. This study explored arsenic speciation across diverse fungi, finding AB common in puffball and gilled mushrooms, potentially aiding structure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Mycology
- Food Safety
Background:
- Terrestrial fungi (mushrooms) accumulate arsenobetaine (AB), a nontoxic arsenic compound.
- Limited data exists on arsenic speciation across diverse fungal phylogenies and its role in mushrooms.
- Previous studies focused on mushrooms with high total arsenic, overlooking AB formation and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate arsenic speciation in a phylogenetically diverse range of mushrooms.
- To determine the formation and role of arsenobetaine (AB) in different mushroom species.
- To assess potential consumer risks from inorganic arsenic in mushrooms from contaminated areas.
Main Methods:
- Collected 73 mushroom samples from 46 species across diverse phylogenetic groups.
- Analyzed total arsenic using ICP-MS.
- Determined arsenic speciation via HPLC-ICP-MS and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).
Main Results:
- Arsenic speciation patterns were similar across fungal phylogenetic groups.
- Arsenobetaine (AB) was prevalent in Lycoperdaceae and Agaricaceae families but scarce in log-growing fungi.
- An As(III)-sulfur compound was identified in mushrooms for the first time; inorganic arsenic predominated in most store-bought mushrooms.
Conclusions:
- Microbial communities may influence arsenic speciation in mushrooms.
- Arsenobetaine (AB) might function as an osmolyte in certain mushroom morphologies (puffballs, gilled).
- Consumer risk from inorganic arsenic in mushrooms from contaminated sites warrants consideration.
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