Elemental Content in <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> and <i>Cyclocybe cylindracea</i> Mushrooms: Correlations with Concentrations in Cultivation Substrates and Effects on the Production Process

• Main Authors: Georgios Koutrotsios, Georgios Danezis, Constantinos Georgiou, Georgios I. Zervakis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: trace element; edible mushroom; cultivation substrate; <i>Cyclocybe cylindracea</i>; <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i>; medicinal mushroom
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/9/2179

Few data exist about the effect of substrates’ elemental content on the respective concentrations in cultivated mushrooms, on the degradation of lignocellulosics or on production parameters. Sixteen elements (14 metals and 2 metalloids) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> and <i>Cyclocybe cylindracea</i> mushrooms, and in their seven cultivation substrates composed of various plant-based residues. Results revealed a high variability in elemental concentration among substrates which generally led to significant differences in the respective mushroom contents. High bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were noted for Cd, Cu, Mg and Zn for both species in all substrates. BCF of each element was variously affected by substrates’ pH, crude composition, and <i>p</i> and K content. Significant positive correlations were demonstrated for Cu, Fe, Mn and Li concentrations vs. a decrease of cellulose and hemicellulose in <i>P. ostreatus</i> substrates, and vs. mushrooms’ biological efficiency. In the case of <i>C. cylindracea</i>, Be, Mg and Mn concentrations were positively correlated with the decrease of hemicellulose in substrates, while a significant positive correlation was also recorded vs. mushroom productivity. Finally, it was found that 15% to 35% of the daily dietary needs in Mg, Se and Zn could be covered by mushroom consumption.