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Abstract
The concentrations of lead and copper in sclerotium of the mushroom Pleurotus tuber-regium widely consumed in Southeastern Nigeria were determined. The specimens purchased from different markets were mineralized with H2SO4 and H2O2 and analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentrations of Pb ranged from 0.2 ± 0.1 mg kg−1 to 0.8 ± 0.5 mg kg−1 with approximately 91% of the results being below 1 mg kg−1. The concentrations of Cu ranged from 0.5 ± 0.2 mg kg−1 to 1.2 ± 0.6 mg kg−1 with 78% of the results below 1 mg kg−1. The results were compared with the literature and levels set by regulatory authorities, with the conclusion that the consumption of sclerotium does not pose a toxicological risk. The low Pb content of the studied products would contribute to only about 1% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake of Pb. The Cu contents would contribute to nutritional intake of the metal in the general population. It is recommended that the outer layers of the sclerotia be properly scrapped before use to reduce metal contamination from exogenous sources.