Variations of arsenic species content in edible Boletus badius growing at polluted sites over four years

ABSTRACT

The content of arsenic (As) in mushrooms can vary depending on the concentration level of this metalloid in the soil/substrate. The present study evaluated the content of arsenic in Boletus badius fruiting bodies collected from polluted and non-polluted sites in relation to the content of this element in overgrown substrate. It was found that mushrooms from the arsenic-polluted sites contained mean concentrations from 49 to 450 mg As kg⁻¹ dry matter (d.m.), with the greatest content found for specimens growing in close proximity of sludge deposits (490±20 mg As kg⁻¹d.m.). The mean content of total arsenic in mushrooms from clean sites ranged from 0.03 to 0.37 mg kg⁻¹ It was found that B. badius could tolerate arsenic in soil substrate at concentrations of up to 2500 mg kg⁻¹, at least. In different years of investigation, shifts in particular arsenic forms, as well as a general increase in the accumulation of organic arsenic content, were observed. The results of this study clearly indicate that B. badius should not be collected for culinary purposes from any sites that may be affected by pollution.

KEYWORDS:

• Arsenic
• environment
• mushroom
• pollution
• toxicity

Funding

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support for part of the studies by project grant No. N305 372538 from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.