Analysis of accumulation of heavy metals by edible mushrooms in Saratov city and Saratov region

Wild edible mushrooms are capable of accumulating heavy metals. When heavy metals enter the human body, they are accumulated, exerting a toxic effect and causing multiple pathological processes. The currently used sanitary standards regulate the content of cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury only in cultivated mushrooms. The goal of the study was to define the quantity of heavy metals in the most common types of edible mushrooms picking up in the forests of the Saratov city and some areas of the Saratov region. The research was carried out in the Scientific Research Laboratory for Determining the Quality of Food and Agricultural Products of the Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N.I. Vavilov in accordance with GOST 26929 – 94, GOST R 53183 – 2008, GOST R 51766 – 2001, FR.1.31.2008.01730. The results of our research showed that the quantity of arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium in such types of mushrooms as Suillus luteus, Boletus edulis, Leccinum scabrum, Lactarius deliciosus, Lactarius resimus, Russula spp. and Paxillus involutus does not exceed the maximum permissible levels regulated by TR CU 021/2011. However, in all samples of the mushrooms, the content of lead and cadmium was significant. The highest cadmium content was detected in Lactarius resimus (0.021 and 0.028 mg/kg), and lead - in Leccinum scabrum (0.28 and 0.32 mg/kg), picking up in forests of the Tatishchevsk and Lysogorsk districts of Saratov region. With regard to mushrooms growing in urban forest plantations, Lactarius deliciosus is most prone to cadmium accumulation - (0.002 mg/kg), lead - Suillus luteus (0.13 mg/kg), and cadmium and lead simultaneously - Russula spp. (0.13 and 0.002 mg/kg). The results of our research substantiate the importance of developing sanitary standards and rules for quality control of edible wild mushrooms.