Selenium in mushrooms

In the article are reviewed available data from the scientific literature on content as well as speciation of selenium in mainly edible mushrooms collected in Europe. Some species of the genus Albtrellus were found exceptionally rich in selenium, and relatively less are some representatives of the genus Boletus (especially Boletus eduilis), Macrolepiota, Agaricus or Ronmaria, while for many other is less than 1.0 mg/kg dry matters. Nevertheless, tha available database on selenium in higher edible mushrooms is not so great if considering the number of wild growing as well as cultivated species and their spread in space.     

Antioxidant properties of selected tropical wild edible mushrooms

Selected species of wild edible mushrooms were obtained from the interior areas of East Malaysia to determine the total phenolics and antioxidant properties, including free radical scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activities. The in vitro antioxidant activities of petroleum ether (PE) and methanolic extracts of the edible wild mushrooms were comparable to the cultivated oyster mushroom. The radical scavenging activity was the highest in PE extract of Pleurotus porrigens (angel's wings) (85%), while methanolic extract of Hygrocybe conica (witch's hat mushroom) exhibited the highest (94%) chelating effect at 20 mg/ml. PE extracts were more effective than methanolic extract in scavenging ability on DPPH radicals, whereas methanolic extracts were more effective in reducing power and chelating ability on ferrous ions as evidenced by their lower EC₅₀ values. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated phenolic group was the primary factor contributing to the metal chelating ability for PE extract although phenolic was better correlated with reducing power in methanolic extracts.     

Investigation of biologically active amines in some selected edible mushrooms

Mushrooms are highly valued due to nutritional and functional properties as well as small environmental footprint. However, scarce information is available regarding amines in commercial products. The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of bioactive amines in eight fresh edible commercial mushrooms species. An ion-pair HPLC method with post-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and fluorescence detection was fit for the purpose. Seven out of nine amines were present and levels varied among species. Spermidine was ubiquitous to mushrooms, with highest content in Black Shimeji (12.4 mg/100 g). The levels of spermidine in mushrooms classify them as high polyamines sources, which is valued due to its association with growth, health promotion and antioxidant properties. Agmatine was present in all Pleurotus. Tyramine, tryptamine and phenylethylamine were detected in some species; the levels of cadaverine and putrescine were discrete. A four-principal component model explained 99.4% of the variance and it was able to separate Pleurotus spp. (White shimeji, Hiratake, Black shimeji and Salmon) from Agaricus bisporus (Champignon and Portobello) and Lentinula edodes (Shitake). Hierarchical cluster analysis confirmed the potential of using the occurrence and levels of amines to separate some mushroom species.     

Selenium content of selected hospital diets

Selenium has been recently recognized as an essential trace element for humans with a daily intake of 50–200 μg suggested. Typical hospital meals were collected during a seven-day period at breakfast, lunch and dinner for regular meat-based, ovo-lacto-vegetarian, and low calorie-low protein renal diets. The selenium content of each diet was determined using neutron activation analysis. Total selenium content of the daily diets averaged 85.5 μg for regular, 118 μg for vegetarian and 54.6 μg for renal diets. The actual intakes of selenium by the subjects would be less because frequently all of the food was not consumed. Thus, the mean selenium level fell within the recently suggested range of 50–200 μg per day. However, the low-calorie-low protein renal diet was barely adequate and the regular diet was near the lower limit of the recommended range estimated as safe and adequate.     

The nutritional composition of selected wild edible mushrooms from Sicily (southern Italy)

The wide consumption of wild fungi by the local population is the basis for an evaluation of the as yet unknown nutritional composition of some selected species. Wild edible mushrooms (Fistulina hepatica, Infundibulicybe geotropa, Laetiporus sulphureus, Macrolepiota procera var. procera and Suillus granulatus) were collected in a number of Sicilian (southern Italian) forest ecosystems and analysed according to standard methodologies of fungal analysis, for their basic composition (ash, water, protein, fat, carbohydrate and vitamin). The results showed that the investigated mushrooms could be suggested as a source of nutritional elements for the human diet.     

Determination of total phenol content, antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition in selected mushrooms from Turkey

In the present study, we investigated the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of the ethanolic extracts of a number of mushroom species growing in Turkey, including mainly Polyporus species (Polyporus gilvus, Polyporus sulphureus, Polyporus annosus, Polyporus radiatus, Polyporus pinicola, Polyporus volvatus, Polyporus fomentarius, Polyporus stevenii, Polyporus badius), as well as Cantharellus cibarius, Lactarius deliciosus, and Trametes versicolor. The analyses were carried out using the spectrophotometric method of Ellman in ELISA microplate reader at 500 μg/ml. Since Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with oxidative degeneration of cells, several methods of antioxidant activity were applied to the mushroom extracts such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferrous ion-chelating effect, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and beta-carotene bleaching tests. Total phenol contents of the extracts were also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. In anti-AChE assay, the most active one was P. sulphureus having 31.44% of inhibition. P. voluatus showed the best scavenging effect against DPPH, while all of the extracts exerted low capacity in chelating ferrous ions and reducing ferric ion.     

Mercury in three species of Suillus mushroom from some sites in Poland

Total mercury content have been determined in fruiting bodies of Variegated Bolete (Suillus variegates), European Cow Bolete (S. bovinus) and Slippery Jack (S. luteus) and in underlying to mushroom's surface layer of soil substrate collected from several spatially distant one from another sites in Poland. All three Suillus mushroom species independent of the site characterized were by small mercury content. The arithmetic mean values of mercury concentration in caps and stipes, respectively, were: 0.17 +/- 0.07-0.22 +/- 0.12 and 0.047 +/- 0.015-0.071 +/- 0.035 microg/g dry weight for Variegated Bolete; 0.28 +/- 0.11-0.79 +/- 0.40 and 0.17 +/- 0.07- 0.51 +/- 0.22 microg/g dw for European Cow Bolete, and 0.095 +/- 0.082-0.17 +/- 0.05 and 0.045 +/- 0.026- 0.070 +/- 0.026 microg/g dw for Slippery Jack. All three species of Suillus mushrooms bio-concentrated mercury (BCF > 1). European Cow Bolete bioconcentrated mercury relatively more efficiently when compared to two other species, and means of BCF value of this element in its caps ranged from 18 +/- 10 to 45 +/- 20, and in stipes from 9.4 +/- 7.5 to 29 +/- 11. A level of surface soil pollution with mercury was low and averaged from 0.017 +/- 0.003 do 0.029 +/- 0.020 microg/g dw.     

Fatty acid and amino acid compositions of selected wild-edible mushrooms consumed in Turkey

The fatty acid and amino acid compositions of 11 mushroom species commonly consumed were collected from the East Black Sea region of Turkey and analyzed. All species were characterized by a high content of linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and glutamic acid. The highest content of linoleic acid (78.0%) and glutamic acid (29.4 μg/mg dry weight [d.w.]) was found in Agaricus arvensis and the lowest in Cantharellus tubaeformis, 19.8% and 10.9 μg/mg d.w., respectively. The average content of amino acids for all species was 148 μg/mg d.w. Overall, these results demonstrate that the 11 different kinds of wild edible mushrooms gathered from the region represent substantial sources of fatty acids and amino acids that are essential in the diet of humans. Quality of the mushroom protein compares favorably with the FAO/WHO Standard. The present study demonstrates that macrofungi from the East Black Sea region (Turkey) are a good source of many nutrients essential to human well-being.     

Fatty acid and amino acid compositions of selected wild-edible mushrooms consumed in Turkey

The fatty acid and amino acid compositions of 11 mushroom species commonly consumed were collected from the East Black Sea region of Turkey and analyzed. All species were characterized by a high content of linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and glutamic acid. The highest content of linoleic acid (78.0%) and glutamic acid (29.4 μg/mg dry weight [d.w.]) was found in Agaricus arvensis and the lowest in Cantharellus tubaeformis, 19.8% and 10.9 μg/mg d.w., respectively. The average content of amino acids for all species was 148 μg/mg d.w. Overall, these results demonstrate that the 11 different kinds of wild edible mushrooms gathered from the region represent substantial sources of fatty acids and amino acids that are essential in the diet of humans. Quality of the mushroom protein compares favorably with the FAO/WHO Standard. The present study demonstrates that macrofungi from the East Black Sea region (Turkey) are a good source of many nutrients essential to human well-being.     

The effect of pumpkin varieties on the content of selected toxic elements from south-eastern Poland

The purpose of the work was to determine the degree of absorption of trace elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Ga, Li, Pb, Rb, Sr, V) from the soil and their accumulation by different species and varieties of pumpkins. An additional aim was to estimate health risk assessment of toxic elements by HQ calculations. In species Cucurbita maxima the following pumpkin cultivars were used: Australian butter, Flat white boer, Garbo, Golden delicious, Golden nugget, Hokkaido, Solor and Zapallito de tronco. In species Cucurbita pepo the following pumpkin cultivars were used: American tondo, Baby bear, Delicata, Kakai, Kamokamo, Macaroni dumpling, Sweet dumpling, Thelma sanders, Winter luxury, and Shellless Olga. Our research showed moderate absorption for Rb, while weak for B, Sr and Ga. For most of the elements studied (Al, V, Li, Pb, Cd, As, Ba), BAC values were very low, which is why it can be stated that there is very weak absorption. According to results obtained for assessment of human health risk (HQ) caused by consumption of pumpkin, acute health risk can be characterized as low since HQ values for all investigated toxic elements did not exceed 1. The findings of this research revealed that the pumpkins grown in the county of Hrubieszów (Lublin Voivodeship, south-eastern Poland) region contain low concentrations of potentially toxic elements. Concentrations of toxic elements in pumpkins did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations regulated by EU normative document. Because acute health risk for all investigated toxic elements and its biological absorption are very low, pumpkin in the county of Hrubieszów can be a valuable and safe ingredient in the diet.     

Fatty acid profiles of livers from selected marine fish species

Fish livers (FLs) constitute a rich and underexploited source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs). Unfortunately, FLs are usually discarded when fish are processed in industrial factories for human consumption, thus the nutritional possibilities of LCPUFAs of FLs is wasted. Nevertheless, these organs might be used as a cheaper source of LCPUFAs, such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acids (AA, 20:4n-6). In the present work, the FA profiles of FLs of 12 fish species commonly consumed in southern Spain have been determined. The output of the analyses showed that the total FA in FLs ranged between 10.8% in European anchovy to 70.0% in great weaver. FLs from shortfin mako yielded the most unsaturated oil, showing also the higher amount of LCPUFAs (51.4%) and n-3 LCPUFAs (46.3%). FLs from great weever and European anchovy were characterized by a high LCPUFA content. All species show a good n-3/n-6 ratio, with blue whiting (10.2) at the top of the range. Saturated FAs (SFAs) reached the highest amounts in European pilchard (35.8%) and axillary seabream (35.5%), while Mediterranean hake showed the higher amounts of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) (50.2%), although LCPUFA content was also noticeable in this species. A remarkable characteristic of FLs confirmed in this work is that this organ constitutes a rich source of n-3 LCPUFA, especially of EPA and DHA.     

Epidemiological situation of the selected infectious diseases in Poland in 1918-1939

In Poland, during twenty years between the first and the second world war modern methods and remedies were created and applied to save the society from biological extermination caused by the epidemics of acute infectious diseases that existed in the larger areas of the country and other diseases that could threaten the society when brought from abroad. Poland regained its independence in 1918 as a country completely destroyed by war and encompassed three partitioned sectors that differed in wealth, class consciousness, various infrastructure, legislation, epidemiological situation of infectious diseases and threats spreading from abroad. Infectious diseases such as typhus fever, typhoid fever, cholera, smallpox, dysentery and other diseases spreading by alimentary tracts caused the greatest epidemiological problem. The considerable number of smallpox cases was noted in 1920-1922. In the thirties only individual cases occurred. Since 1934 no fatal cases of smallpox were registered. In 1919, in Poland 219,688 cases and 18,641 typhus fever deaths were registered. Between 1930 and 1939 the annual number of cases ranged from 2000 to 4000. In Poland each year between the first and the second world war typhoid fever was a serious sanitary problem. The largest outbreak of dysentery occurred in Poland in 1920-1921 and comprised 64,000 cases, among them 10,000 deaths. Acute childhood diseases such as scarlet fever and diphtheria were in Poland endemic. Number of registered cases was variable.     

Analysis of selected surface water components in the town of Siedlce,Poland

The paper presents results of a research study into levels of selected surface water components in Siedlce, Poland. Water was sampled in the Muchawka Reservoir and the Muchawka River in March, July and November 2012. Two techniques were applied in the study: isotachophoresis and atomic absorption spectrometry. The analysis results of water sampled in the Muchawka Reservoir indicate that they are borderline compliant with standards for the Class 1 surface waters. On the other hand, the Muchawka River samples were found to be out of any quality class.     

Various selected vegetables, fruits, mushrooms and red wine residue inhibit bone resorption in rats

To make a broad survey of the effect of components of the human diet on bone resorption, a few items from the following categories were added to rat diets: vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds, mushrooms, carbohydrate sources and beverages. The effect on bone resorption was measured by the urinary excretion of tritium released from bones of 9-wk-old rats prelabeled with tritiated tetracycline from weeks 1 to 6. The number of rats per experiment was 26--6, 5, 5, 5 and 5 in the untreated control group fed the plain semipurified diet, the positive control group fed onions and three groups fed one of the newly investigated items, respectively. New experiments were added until 10 rats were fed each item in each of two separate experiments. The results for each item were compared to those for the untreated control group (n = 12) investigated simultaneously. We found that feeding rats 1 g/d of dry fennel, celeriac, oranges, prunes, French beans and farmed and wild mushrooms (Agaricus hortensis and Boletus edulis) as well as the freeze-dried residue from red wine significantly (P < 0.05 or lower) inhibited bone resorption. Eighteen items had no significant effect. To date we have found 25/53 items that exhibit inhibitory activity. Activity appears to be restricted to the following categories: vegetables, salads, herbs, mushrooms, fruits and red wine residue (25/36 items effective). Furthermore, as assessed in a similar experimental design with various doses of a mixture of active items, we determined the minimum effective dose of the dry items to be 170 mg/d. These results open the possibility for targeted interventions in humans.