Mineral constituents of edible parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera (Scop. ex Fr.) Sing and soils beneath its fruiting bodies collected from a rural forest area

Concentrations and interrelationships of twenty elements were studied in parasol mushroom and in the top layer of soil (0-10 cm) from the area of Kiwity (Poland). K, P, Mg, Ca, and Zn were found to be the most abundant elements in the mushroom. Higher concentrations of Fe, Mn, Na, Ni occurred in stipes then in caps, while Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Rb dominated in caps. Ag, Al, and Ba concentrations in caps and stipes were similar. Parasol mushroom is efficient in up-take and separation of Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, K (in caps, the bioconcentration factor is BCF a parts per thousand yen 100), Na, P, Rb (50 < BCF < 100), and Mg, Zn (BCF > 10) in its fruiting bodies, while Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Pb are eliminated (BCF < 1). Parasol mushroom from rural forest area in the north-eastern region of Poland is of hygienic concern for human health because of toxic mercury and cadmium content in the edible caps, which are also rich in essential Cu, Fe, and their K, Mn, and Zn content is also high.