The effects of culinary processing on lithium from lithiated and reference button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

Lithiated products such as button mushrooms that are cultivated in substrates fortified with lithium (Li) salts, have the potential to provide accessible and safe Li dosing as a treatment for some neurological disorders. However, Li losses sustained during culinary processing are not known. This study of commonly used culinary treatments including various combinations of drying, maceration, blanching (of fresh, deep-frozen and re-hydrated mushrooms) and pickling (of fresh and deep-frozen mushrooms) shows that Li is lost from the edible flesh at varying rates depending on the treatment. Blanching of fresh lithiated mushrooms resulted in a 40% loss, increasing to 77–87% when blanching was followed by pickling. Corresponding losses were similar (47–72%) for non-lithiated mushrooms. Higher losses through the combined treatment relative to just blanching appear to be due to chelating and acidifying effects of the vinegar used. This finding has important dose implications for potential future use of lithiated products

Mercury and selenium in developing and mature fruiting bodies of Amanita muscaria

Both mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) occur in many mushroom species, but the morphological distribution of these elements during different developmental stages of the fruiting bodies is not known. Although Amanita muscaria can be consumed after suitable processing, they are often ignored by mushroom foragers, leaving an abundance for investigative study. Multiple specimens in each of six developmental stages (button to fully mature) were collected in excellent condition during a single morning from the same forested location and composited. With an average of 30 specimens per composite, and low temporal, spatial, and measurement uncertainty, the data are likely to be representative of the typical concentrations of Hg and Se for each developmental stage. Hg (range 0.58–0.74 mg kg-1 dry weight cap; 0.33 to 0.44 mg kg-1 dw stipe) and Se (range 8.3–11 mg kg-1dw cap; 2.2 to 4.3 mg kg-1 dw stipe) levels were observed to vary during the developmental stages, and the variability may relate to the demands in growth. In common with some other species, the lower stipe concentrations may be consistent with nutrient/content transport and support functions. Both Hg and Se levels were lowest during periods of maximum sporocarp growth. Selenium occurs at almost an order of magnitude greater levels than Hg. Due to its role in mitigating the effects of Hg toxicity, this property is of significance to those who consume the species either for nutritional, medicinal, or recreational purposes, although the losses of both these elements during processing are not know

The use of Li2O fortifed growing compost to enhance lithiation in white Agaricus bisporus mushrooms: Li uptake and co‑accumulation of other trace elements

In an attempt to enrich the fruiting bodies with Lithium (Li), this study cultivated mushrooms using growing sets that were fortified with Li2O at 1.0, 5.0, 10, 50, 100 and 500 mg·kg−1 dw. Compost fortification up to 100 mg·kg−1 dw induced a dose dependent increase in Li accumulation with resulting median mushroom concentrations of 2.0, 8.6, 16, 29 and 38 mg·kg−1dw, respectively, relative to the unfortified control at 0.087 mg·kg−1 dw. The dose dependency appears to level off as Li2O addition approaches 100 mg·kg−1, suggesting that there is a limit to the ability of the species to accumulate/tolerate Li. Mushrooms did not grow at the 500 mg·kg−1 dw fortification level. At the highest viable level of fortification (100 mg·kg−1 dw), the fruiting bodies were around 440-fold richer in Li content than the control mushrooms. Additionally, the fortification at all levels up to 100 mg·kg−1 dw showed very low, if any, effect on the co-accumulation of the other, studied trace mineral constituents, with concentrations occurring at the lower range of those reported for commercial A. bisporus mushrooms

Lithiation of white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) using lithium-fortified substrate: Effect of fortification levels on Li uptake and on other trace elements

High doses of lithium salts are used for the treatment or prevention of episodes of mania in bipolar disorder, but the medication is rapidly excreted and also shows side effects. Li may also be beneficial in people with mood disorders. Nutritionally, popular foods such as wild and cultivated mushrooms have low Li contents. This study evaluated the Li enrichment of white Agaricus bisporus mushrooms using Li2CO3 solutions to fortify the commercial growing substrate at various concentrations from 1.0 to 500 mg kg−1 dry weight (dw). Fortification of up to 100 mg kg−1 dw resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) dose-dependent increase in the accumulation of Li in mushroom, but the highest fortification level was found to be detrimental to fruitification. The median values of Li in fortified mushrooms corresponded to the fortification levels, increasing from 0.49 to 17 mg kg−1 dw relative to the background concentration of 0.056 mg kg−1 dw (control substrate contained 0.10 mg kg−1 dw). The potential for Li uptake in fruiting bodies was found to decrease at higher levels of fortification, with saturation occurring at 100 mg kg−1. Resulting lithiated mushrooms were up to 300-fold richer in Li content than specimens grown on control substrate. The fortification showed some effects on the uptake of other trace minerals, but concentrations of co-accumulated Ag, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, U, V and Zn were similar or lower than values reported in the literature for commercial A. bisporus. These lithiated mushrooms could be considered as a pro-medicinal alternative to treatments that use Li salts

Combined use of companion planting and PGPR for the assisted phytoextraction of trace metals (Zn, Pb, Cd)

Biomass production and metal accumulation in plant tissue (bioconcentration) are two critical factors limiting the phytoextraction rate.Metal translocation to aboveground organs should be accounted for as the third most important factor, as harvesting of the plant roots is usually economically disadvantageous. These three parameters could be potentially increased with the use of companion planting, a well-known agricultural technique, and inoculation with plant growth–promoting bacteria (PGPB). The aim of the study was to determine whether intercropping and inoculation with endophytic PGPB (Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJNT) can increase the efficiency of phytoextraction of Zn, Pb, and Cd. The study was conducted on Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. “Małopolska” grown in a monoculture or co-planted with Zea mays L. “Codimon” and Medicago sativa L. “Sanditi.” Results show that companion planting and inoculation with rhizobacteria can increase the efficiency of metal phytoextraction, mainly by increasing the yield of dry biomass and the survival rate of plants grown on contaminated soil.We have shown that the simultaneous planting of B. juncea with M. sativa and inoculation with PGPB were the most efficient variants of assisted phytoextraction reaching a recovery of 95% Zn, 90% Cd, and on average about 160% Pb compared with control B. juncea plants grown in monoculture

<i>Trifolium pratense</i> and the Heavy Metal Content in Various Urban Areas

Effective biomonitoring strategies are essential for identifying and assessing the sources and levels of contamination of heavy metal pollutants in urban areas, given their negative impacts on human health and the environment. This study aimed to assess the potential of common weed, Trifolium pratense as a bioindicator of heavy metal contamination in various land uses in urban areas, with a focus on Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb. The results have shown that Cr and Ni had high bioconcentration factor (BCF) values in most sites, in comparison with Cu, Cd and Pb. Contamination factor (CF) values varied across all sites. The industrial area and old town sites had the highest translocation factor (TF) values for Cr and Ni, indicating greater transport of these metals from roots to aerial parts of plants. Differences between heavy metals (HMs) according to land use were observed; especially, Pb and Cu were more concentrated in soils than other heavy metals in industrial areas. Overall, these findings suggest that Trifolium pratense is a promising bioindicator for heavy metal contamination in various land uses in urban areas, making it a potentially valuable tool for monitoring heavy metal pollution in cities of the northern hemisphere

Excess Zinc Supply Reduces Cadmium Uptake and Mitigates Cadmium Toxicity Effects on Chloroplast Structure, Oxidative Stress, and Photosystem II Photochemical Efficiency in Salvia sclarea Plants

Salvia sclarea L. is a Cd2+ tolerant medicinal herb with antifungal and antimicrobial properties cultivated for its pharmacological properties. However, accumulation of high Cd2+ content in its tissues increases the adverse health effects of Cd2+ in humans. Therefore, there is a serious demand to lower human Cd2+ intake. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the mitigative role of excess Zn2+ supply to Cd2+ uptake/translocation and toxicity in clary sage. Salvia plants were treated with excess Cd2+ (100 μM CdSO4) alone, and in combination with Zn2+ (900 μM ZnSO4), in modified Hoagland nutrient solution. The results demonstrate that S. sclarea plants exposed to Cd2+ toxicity accumulated a significant amount of Cd2+ in their tissues, with higher concentrations in roots than in leaves. Cadmium exposure enhanced total Zn2+ uptake but also decreased its translocation to leaves. The accumulated Cd2+ led to a substantial decrease in photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and disrupted the chloroplast ultrastructure, which coincided with an increased lipid peroxidation. Zinc application decreased Cd2+ uptake and translocation to leaves, while it mitigated oxidative stress, restoring chloroplast ultrastructure. Excess Zn2+ ameliorated the adverse effects of Cd2+ on PSII photochemistry, increasing the fraction of energy used for photochemistry (ΦPSII) and restoring PSII redox state and maximum PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm), while decreasing excess excitation energy at PSII (EXC). We conclude that excess Zn2+ application eliminated the adverse effects of Cd2+ toxicity, reducing Cd2+ uptake and translocation and restoring chloroplast ultrastructure and PSII photochemical efficiency. Thus, excess Zn2+ application can be used as an important method for low Cd2+-accumulating crops, limiting Cd2+ entry into the food chain

Canonical Variate Analysis of Chlorophyll Content in Plants Exposed to Different Lead Concentrations in Ambient Air Conditions/ Analiza Zmiennych Kanonicznych Zawatości Chlorofilu W Roślinach Eksponowanych Na Różne Stężenia Ołowiu W Powietrzu Atmosferycznym

This paper presents the results of biomonitoring of Pb in ambient air. For this purpose Italian ryegrass was used to evaluate Pb level. Additionally chlorophyll forms (a+b, a and b) were measured in leaves. Plants were exposed at 5 sites varying in environmental characteristics in the 2011 growing season. A similar set of plants was conducted in control conditions. Three 28-day long exposure series were performed. The aim of this study was to analyse the relation between Pb level and chlorophyll content in various exposure sites and series using multivariate analysis of variance. The analysis revealed variability of Pb and all chlorophyll forms contents in different exposure sites and series. The lowest level of Pb concentrations was noted at a sub-urban site together with the highest level of all chlorophyll forms contents. Canonical variate analysis could be a proper tool for a graphical data presentation of Pb level in plants exposed to various environmental conditions

Mineral constituents of conserved white button mushrooms: similarities and differences

Background. Mushrooms are a food that is often considered as an important source of minerals and other nutrients for consumers. There is little data on the minerals in mushrooms processed culinary and on the impact of processing. Objective. The research was aimed at understanding the similarities and differences in the mineral composition (Hg, Li, Mg, Al, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Sb, Tl, Pb, U, Ba, Cr, Zn, Mn and V) of white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) processed in industrial conditions. Material and methods. Fungal materials came from six producers. The elements were determined by ICP-MS DRC and CV-AAS using validated methods and QA/QC protocol. The interdependencies of 18 elements and 10 batches of mushrooms examined were tested with the help of principal component analysis. Results. Some significant differences were found in the content and composition of minerals in marinated white button mushrooms depending on producer. Conserved white button mushrooms are poorer in major essential elements but also in toxic Hg, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, Tl or Pb which has been reported for unprocessed mushrooms. Conclusions. The relatively higher levels of Ag in some batches seem to be largely explained by the quality of the substrate used for mushrooms cultivation, while of Li, Rb, Cs, Cr, Al, U, V, As and Mn (in part also of Ba and Sr) largely by the quality of the marinade

Combined Impact of Excess Zinc and Cadmium on Elemental Uptake, Leaf Anatomy and Pigments, Antioxidant Capacity, and Function of Photosynthetic Apparatus in Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea L.)

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) is a medicinal plant that has the potential to be used for phytoextraction of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) from contaminated soils by accumulating these metals in its tissues. Additionally, it has been found to be more tolerant to excess Zn than to Cd stress alone; however, the interactive effects of the combined treatment with Zn and Cd on this medicinal herb, and the protective strategies of Zn to alleviate Cd toxicity have not yet been established in detail. In this study, clary sage plants grown hydroponically were simultaneously exposed to Zn (900 &micro;M) and Cd (100 &mu;M) for 8 days to obtain more detailed information about the plant responses and the role of excess Zn in mitigating Cd toxicity symptoms. The leaf anatomy, photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic and anthocyanin contents, antioxidant capacity (by DPPH and FRAP analyses), and the uptake and distribution of essential elements were investigated. The results showed that co-exposure to Zn and Cd leads to an increased leaf content of Fe and Mg compared to the control, and to increased leaf Ca, Mn, and Cu contents compared to plants treated with Cd only. This is most likely involved in the defense mechanisms of excess Zn against Cd toxicity to protect the chlorophyll content and the functions of both photosystems and the oxygen-evolving complex. The data also revealed that the leaves of clary sage plants subjected to the combined treatment have an increased antioxidant capacity attributed to the higher content of polyphenolic compounds. Furthermore, light microscopy indicated more alterations in the leaf morphology after Cd-only treatment than after the combined treatment. The present study shows that excess Zn could mitigate Cd toxicity in clary sage plants