Element concentrations in wild edible mushrooms in Finland

The aim of the study was to examine the element concentrations of common mushroom species and to evaluate the possible health risks resulting from the consumption of mushrooms. The concentration of Ag, Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Pt, Rb, Se, V and Zn was studied for ten commercially sold mushroom species and two other common edible species in southern Finland. The element concentrations were analysed using AAS for selenium, fluorometry for mercury and ICP-MS for the other 14 elements. The platinum concentration was lower than the detection limit for all mushrooms species (n = 191). The highest aluminium, calcium and vanadium concentration were found in Boletus species. The amounts of mushroom considered safe for consumption were mostly limited by rubidium. When excluding Rb, the maximum amounts of mushroom recommended for consumption were limited by the concentration of chromium in the case of nine of the 12 studied fungi species. Iron was a limiting element for the safe consumption of Suillus variegatus while Agaricus abruptibulbus and Boletus species were limited by silver. In the light of the results the ten commercially sold mushroom species are mainly considered safe to consume. Nevertheless, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of A. abruptibulbus and to consume Boletus species and Suillus variegatus in moderate amounts only

Cadmium, lead, arsenic and nickel in wild edible mushrooms

The aim of the study was to study the geographical and temporal variation of Cd, Pb, As and Ni in wild edible mushrooms and to evaluate possible toxicological risks resulting from their consumption. The research focused on 12 mushroom species commonly collected in Finland. The samples were collected at common collection sites in Southern Finland between the years 1977 and 1999 and analysed using ICP-MS. The median dry weight concentrations ranged between 0.22-29.70 mg kg-1 d.w. for Cd, 0.36-6.05 mg kg-1 d.w. for Pb, 0.14-5.11 mg kg-1 d.w. for As and 0.41-9.08 mg kg-1 d.w. for Ni. The highest concentrations of Cd, Pb and As were found in Agaricus abruptibulbus and the highest level of Ni in Albatrellus ovinus. The Pb concentrations in A. abruptibulbus and Cd levels in Lactarius species were found to be significantly higher at polluted than at unpolluted sites. The Pb contents of A. ovinus, Boletus species, Cantharellus tubaeformis and Lactarius species as well as Cd levels of A. abruptibulbus and Leccinum species were signifi cantly higher for samples collected in 1977-1983 than for ones collected in 1992-1999. Decomposer species had generally higher concentrations of Cd, Pb and As than mycorrhizal fungi. Apart from the high element concentrations of A. abruptibulbus, the consumption of mushrooms was generally not considered to pose a toxicological risk in the light of the safety limits set by WHO. However, the Cd and Pb contents in A. abruptibulbus and Cd levels of Gyromitra esculenta and Boletus species exceeded the EU maximum permitted concentrations for cultivated mushrooms

Results of the Finnish selenium monitoring program 2000-2001

In Finland compound fertilizers have been supplemented with selenium (Se) since 1984. In 1998, the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry raised the Se supplementation level in fertilizers from 6 to 10 mg Se/kg fertilizer. The most important sources of Se are milk, meat, and milk and meat products, which together cover nearly 70 % of the total Se intake

Carotenoid Intake and Serum Concentration in Young Finnish Children and Their Relation with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. These foods are the main dietary source of carotenoids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between dietary intake and serum concentrations of alpha- and beta-carotene in a sample of young Finnish children from the population-based birth cohort of the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Study. The current analysis comprised 3-day food records and serum samples from 207 children aged 1, 2 and 3 years. Spearman and partial correlations, as well as a cross-classification analyses, were used to assess the relationship between dietary intake and the corresponding biomarkers. Serum concentrations of alpha- and beta-carotene were significantly higher among the 1-year-old compared to the 3-year-old children. Dietary intakes of alpha- and beta-carotene correlated significantly with their respective serum concentrations in all age groups, the association being highest at the age of 1 year (alpha-carotene r = 0.48; p <0.001 and beta-carotene r = 0.47; p <0.001), and lowest at the age of 3 years (alpha-carotene r = 0.44; p <0.001 and beta-carotene r = 0.30; p <0.001). A cross-classification showed that 72-81% of the participants were correctly classified to the same or adjacent quartile, when comparing the reported dietary intakes and the concentrations of the corresponding carotenoid in serum. The 3-day food record seems to be reasonably valid in the assessment of root vegetable consumption among young Finnish children. Root vegetables were the main dietary source of both carotenoids in all age groups. The high consumption of commercial baby foods among the 1-year-old children was reflected in the relatively high dietary intake and serum concentration of both carotenoids.Peer reviewe

Food and Nutrient Intake and Nutritional Status of Finnish Vegans and Non-Vegetarians

Background Vegetarian and vegan diets have become more popular among adolescents and young adults. However, few studies have investigated the nutritional status of vegans, who may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies. Objective To compare dietary intake and nutritional status of Finnish long-term vegans and non-vegetarians. Methods Dietary intake and supplement use were estimated using three-day dietary records. Nutritional status was assessed by measuring biomarkers in plasma, serum, and urine samples. Vegans' (n = 22) data was compared with those of sex-and age-matched non-vegetarians (n = 19). Results All vegans adhered strictly to their diet; however, individual variability was marked in food consumption and supplementation habits. Dietary intakes of key nutrients, vitamins B12 and D, were lower (P <0.001) in vegans than in non-vegetarians. Nutritional biomarker measurements showed lower concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH) D3), iodine and selenium (corrected for multiple comparisons, P <0.001), Vegans showed more favorable fatty acid profiles (P <0.001) as well as much higher concentrations of polyphenols such as genistein and daidzein (P <0.001). Eicosapentaenoic acid proportions in vegans were higher than expected. The median concentration of iodine in urine was below the recommended levels in both groups. Conclusions Long-term consumption of a vegan diet was associated with some favorable laboratory measures but also with lowered concentrations of key nutrients compared to reference values. This study highlights the need for nutritional guidance to vegans.Peer reviewe

The effect of proatherogenic pathogens on adipose tissue transcriptome and fatty acid distribution in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

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