Concentrations of Minerals in Selected Edible Mushroom Species Growing in Poland and Their Effect on Human Health*

Introduction. Intake of wild growing edible mushroom in selected regions of Europe (especially East and Central Europe) is signifi cant. Additionally, mushrooms are able to accumulation many times higher amounts of nutritional and toxic elements than plants, therefore knowledge on their concentration levels and changes in their content is important for human health. Material and methods. Eleven biologically important (Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, Zn) and fi ve toxic elements (Al, Ba, Cd, Hg, Pb) were determined in twenty three fruiting bodies of edible wild growing mushroom species. The tested mushroom species: were collected from selected places located practically throughout Poland. Effi ciency of element accumulation in mushrooms and soils were analysed by fl ame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Results. The highest concentrations for K, Mg, Na, Zn and Fe and signifi cantly lower concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Hg, Ni, Pb and Sr were observed. Additionally, signifi cant lower accumulations of elements by the lamellar were found in comparison to the tubular fungi. Conclusion. Based on presented results in our opinion an occasional intake of the analysed mushrooms is not dangerous to humans. Of course, some toxic elements (Hg or Pb) are accumulated in human organs, but these elements are provided also with other foodstuffs (vegetables, fruits, meat) or drinks.