Levels of some trace elements in edible fungi.

A number of common edible fungi were analysed for their contents of Pg, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Mn and Se. The results indicate that the Cd level in the species Rozites caperata can be as high as several mg/kg fresh weight. In Lycoperdon perlatum and Macrolepiota procera the Pb level was found to be up to 2.5 mg/kg. The Ni level was at or below 0.1 mg/kg in all species, with the exception of Albatrellus ovinus, which had a mean concentration of 0.72 mg/kg. The level of Cr was highest in M. procera with a mean of 0.091 mg/kg. In a single sample of the species Agaricus augustus, the concentration of Co was found to be exceptionally high at 0.28 mg/kg. Zn and Cu levels were highest in L. perlatum and M. procera. Mn levels were fairly similar in the different species. The results of several surveys show that there can be large differences in the concentrations of the same metal (e.g. Pb) in the same species. The Se level was found to be very high in the species Boletus edulis, as has been shown by others. In the other species analysed the level of Se was low.