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Metal Content in Caps and Stalks of Edible Mushrooms: Health Benefits and Risk Evaluation

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Abstract

Mushrooms are a good source of protein and phenolic compounds which provides health benefits for humans. The purpose of this study was to compare the content of eight metals, protein, and total phenolics (TPC) of 5 different species (Agaricus bisporus—white and brown mushrooms, Agaricus cupreobrunneus, Auricularia cornea, Hypsizgus tesselatus, and Pleurotus eryngii species-complex) of edible mushrooms available on the Romanian market. Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus cupreobrunneus were purchased and cultivated in Romania and the other species were cultivated in other countries (Turkey and China). The metal content determined by graphite atomic absorption spectrometry (GTAAS) varied in the order Cu > Pb > Ni > Fe > Cr > Mn > Co > Cd. Almost all the samples contained a greater quantity of metals in the stalk than in the cap. In addition, the levels of toxic metals were low. The protein content of analyzed samples ranged from 0.0926 to 0.2743%, the highest value being observed in Pleurotus eryngii species-complex mushroom. TPC of extracts increased over time but there was a variability in the concentration for each mushroom species (0.25–12.25 mg GAE/g). The investigated mushroom species possess no health risk and may be potential nutritional supplements for human diets due to their phenolic compounds, protein, and mineral content.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ovidius University From Constanta, 124 Mamaia Blvd., Constanta, Romania

    Alina Soceanu, Nicoleta Matei, Simona Dobrinas, Semaghiul Birghila, Viorica Popescu & Gabriela Crudu

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  1. Alina Soceanu
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  2. Nicoleta Matei
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  3. Simona Dobrinas
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  4. Semaghiul Birghila
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  5. Viorica Popescu
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  6. Gabriela Crudu
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Contributions

Conceptualization, S. D. and A. S.; methodology, S. D. and S. B.; software, N. M. and A. S.; validation, S. D. and A. S.; formal analysis, V. P. and S. B.; investigation, S. D. and A. S.; resources, G. C. and N. M.; data curation, G. C. and C. B.; writing—original draft preparation, S. D. and N. M.; writing—review and editing, A. S.; visualization, V. P.; supervision, S. B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Nicoleta Matei.

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Soceanu, A., Matei, N., Dobrinas, S. et al. Metal Content in Caps and Stalks of Edible Mushrooms: Health Benefits and Risk Evaluation. Biol Trace Elem Res 202, 2347–2356 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-023-03800-2

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