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A comparison of toxic and essential elements in edible wild and cultivated mushroom species
AbstractThe multi-elemental composition of 4 edible wild-growing mushroom species that commonly occur in Polish forests was compared to 13 cultivated mushroom species available in trade. A considerable variation in the macroelements content was revealed with cultivated species containing higher amounts of macroelements. The mean content of B, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, Pr, Pt, Sb, Sm, Sr, Te, and Tm was higher in cultivated mushroom species, while the opposite was noted for Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg, La, Mo, Sc, and Zn. Selected cultivated forms exhibited increased content of Al (F. velutipes), As (H. marmoreus, F. velutipes), Ni (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, H. marmoreus), and Pb (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, F. velupites, and L. edodes). Wild-growing species, B. boletus, I. badia, and S. bovinus contained high Hg levels, close to or exceeding tolerable intakes. Compared to cultivated mushrooms, they also generally revealed a significantly increased content of Al (with the highest content in B. edulis and I. badia), As and Cd (with the highest content in B. edulis and S. bovinus in both cases). In turn, the cultivated mushrooms were characterized by a higher content of Ni (particularly in A. bisporus) and Pb (with the highest content in P. eryngii). The exposure risks may, however, differ between wild and cultivated mushrooms since the former are consumed seasonally (although in some regions at a high level), while the latter are available throughout the year. Both cultivated and wild-growing mushrooms were found to be a poor source of Ca and Mg, and only a supplemental source of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the human diet. These results suggest that mushrooms collected from the wild or cultivated, should be consumed sparingly. The study advocates for more strict monitoring measures of the content of toxic metals/metalloids in mushrooms distributed as food, preferentially through the establishment of maximum allowance levels not limited only to a few elements and mushroom species.
Elemental uptake and accumulation by wood decay fungi in relation to their nutrition strategy, rot type and mineral profile of the colonized wood
Temporal arsenic form changes dynamics and accumulation patterns in Tilia cordata Mill. seedlings: Insights into metalloid transformation and tolerance mechanisms in trees
Alterations in the Anatomy and Ultrastructure of Leaf Blade in Norway Maple (Acer platanoides L.) Growing on Mining Sludge: Prospects of Using This Tree Species for Phytoremediation
Alterations in leaf architecture can be used as an indicator of the substrate toxicity level as well as the potential of a given plant species in the phytoremediation of polluted areas, e.g., mining sludge. In this work, we demonstrated, for the first time, the nature and scale of alterations in leaf architecture at the tissue and cellular levels occurring in Norway maple growing on mining sludge originating from a copper mine in Lubin (Poland). The substrate differs from other mine wastes, e.g., calamine or serpentine soils, due to an extremely high level of arsenic (As). Alterations in leaf anatomy predominantly included the following: (1) a significant increase in upper epidermis thickness; (2) a significant decrease in palisade parenchyma width; (3) more compact leaf tissue organization; (4) the occurrence of two to three cell layers in palisade parenchyma in contrast to one in the control; (5) a significantly smaller size of cells building palisade parenchyma. At the cellular level, the alterations included mainly the occurrence of local cell wall thickenings—predominantly in the upper and lower epidermis—and the symptoms of accelerated leaf senescence. Nevertheless, many chloroplasts showed almost intact chloroplast ultrastructure. Modifications in leaf anatomy could be a symptom of alterations in morphogenesis but may also be related to plant adaptation to water deficit stress. The occurrence of local cell wall thickenings can be considered as a symptom of a defence strategy involved in the enlargement of apoplast volume for toxic elements (TE) sequestration and the alleviation of oxidative stress. Importantly, the ultrastructure of leaf cells was not markedly disturbed. The results suggested that Norway maple may have good phytoremediation potential. However, the general shape of the plant, the significantly smaller size of leaves, and accelerated senescence indicated the high toxicity of the mining sludge used in this experiment. Hence, the phytoremediation of such a substrate, specifically including use of Norway maple, should be preceded by some amendments—which are highly recommended.
The strength and fire properties of paper sheets made of phosphorylated cellulose fibers
Phosphorylated cellulose can be an intrinsic flame retardant and a promising alternative for halogenated fire inhibitors. In this study, the mixture of di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) and urea (U), containing phosphate and nitrogen groups, was applied to attain fire inhibitor properties. Functional groups of cellulose were grafted with phosphorous by keeping the constant molar ratio of 1/1.2/4.9 between anhydroglucose units of cellulose/DAP/U in different concentrations of bleached kraft pulp. Phosphorus concentrations were determined using the ICP hrOES method, and paper sheets were made using the Rapid Köthen apparatus. The tensile strength of phosphorylated cellulose increased twice compared with unmodified cellulose when the phosphorous concentration increased to 10,000 g/kg. An increase in the tensile index comes from the higher freeness of pulp and cross-linking of the phosphorous group between cellulose fibers. Remarkable fire retardancy effects were achieved in cellulose concentrations above 5 wt%. The raised phosphorous concentration above 10,000 g/kg due to the phosphorylation process caused the formation of a char layer on a cellulose surface and the nonflammable gas emission. That effect was indirectly confirmed by reducing the combustion temperature and HRR by 50 and 45%, respectively. Due to increasing phosphorus concentration in cellulose sheets, cellulose’s fire and strength properties increased significantly.
Natural restoration of arsenic-contaminated environment with Quercus robur L. and Tilia cordata Mill.: 5-Year longitudinal study of dendroremediation dynamics
Dendroremediation of soil contaminated by mining sludge: A three-year study on the potential of Tilia cordata and Quercus robur in remediation of multi-element pollution
Drought Differently Modifies Tolerance and Metal Uptake in Zn- or Cu-Treated Male and Female Salix × fragilis L.
The aim of this study was to determine the tolerance to metals (Zn, Cu) and drought of male and female Salix × fragilis L. under isolated and combined treatments, and to assess the metal uptake and profiling of metabolic plant responses. The 14-day experiment was performed in a hydroponic system, and metals were applied at 1.5 mM in a Knop’s solution. Drought simulation was achieved by adding sorbitol at a moderate level (200 mM). Isolated Zn treatment enhanced plant growth, more pronouncedly in females. Equimolar Cu treatment caused diverse reactions, and females exhibited significantly higher tolerance. Male specimens were less tolerant to isolated drought and to combined drought and metal presence. The highest contents of Cu and Zn were found in roots, compared to the aboveground tissues (wooden rods and leaves), of both female and male metal-treated plants. Simultaneously applied drought limited Zn accumulation in roots and elevated its translocation to leaves while increasing Cu accumulation, predominantly in females showing higher tolerance. Both isolated and combined drought and metals reduced leaf water content, caused the allocation of mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), and affected metabolism in a stressor-specific and sex-dependent manner. For males, Cu accumulation in the leaves was significantly correlated with the majority of metabolites, while for both sexes, kaempferol and salicylic acid were strongly correlated, indicating their role in tolerance against the metal. The obtained results are an excellent starting point for the practical use of male and female Salix × fragilis L. in areas heavily polluted with Cu or Zn and exposed to drought, for the purpose of their recultivation.
Species-specific preferences vs. soil composition impact – interplay in bioaccumulation of elements in edible mycorrhizal mushrooms
Molekularne i fizjologiczne mechanizmy sezonowego transportu i fitoekstrakcji różnych form arsenu u traw wieloletnich na przykładzie miskanta olbrzymiego (Miscanthus x giganteus)
Mushroom production on digestate: Mineral composition of cultivation compost, mushrooms, spent mushroom compost and spent casing
Mineral composition variation in Boletales mushrooms—indication of soil properties and taxonomic influence
AbstractThe efficiency of element accumulation depends on numerous factors, where the physico-chemical characteristics of the soil seem to be very important, and the role of taxonomic rank in the accumulation of elements by mushrooms seems to be important. The aim of the study was to compare the mineral composition of 7 species belonging to Leccinum and Suillus genera, collected between 2019 and 2021 from localizations in the west-central part of Poland. The research aimed to indicate the role of selected soil parameters in stimulating/inhibiting the accumulation of elements by selected Boletales mushroom species and to answer the question about the role of species belonging to the genus as an indicator determining the specific mineral composition of fruiting bodies. Soil pH and other soil properties (granulometric composition, organic carbon, degree of organic matter decomposition) may significantly affect mushrooms' mineral composition. Mushroom species belonging to Leccinum genus exhibited the higher amount of essential major and trace elements than species of Suillus genus). It suggests that the affiliation of the studied mushroom species to a specific genus may affect their mineral composition, and the physicochemical properties of the soil may be responsible for the lack of a clear division in the efficiency of element(s) accumulation. Selected species contain high amounts of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn, while others, such as selected Suillus gravellei fruiting bodies, also contain As and Cd. The results described serve as an introduction to a broader scientific discussion and require many further studies to confirm the role of taxonomic ranks and the influence of soil characteristics on the accumulation of elements by fruiting bodies. Graphical Abstract
Spring and autumn rotifer community structure differentiates shallow water bodies in two European ecoregions: Poland and Croatia
AbstractRotifer structure may serve as predictor of environmental features, including temperate subclimates between water bodies. The difference in latitude between two temperate regions (Poland vs. Croatia) affects the identification of particular environmental factors that subsequently influence the taxon-related indices of rotifers. A study on 10 water bodies found that taxon-trait indices were sensitive in identifying latitude differences, even though extreme weather conditions were not considered, and only two seasons (spring and autumn) were examined. A variable rotifer community, with a high share of rare species, was obtained. We found a distinctiveness of abiotic factors between both countries, indicating a higher trophic state in Poland. Although habitat conditions were more similar in spring compared to the autumn, the percentage of rotifer common taxa was alike in both seasons but variation in distinct species community was clear. Trophic state increase in Poland was reflected in the structure of dominant and distinct species, with a wide range of eutrophy indicators. Comparing how rotifer species respond to environmental conditions is important for developing methods to assess trophic state changes due to climate change. Single species, distinct or rare species, are often the first sign of changes.