Trace elements in higher fungi (mushrooms) determined by activation analysis

The fruit bodies of wild-growing higher fungi (macromycetes), commonly called mushrooms, of various genera and species collected in localities with different geochemical features and man-made burden in the Czech Republic were analyzed by different modes of activation analysis. The elements Na, Mg, Al, S, Cl, K, Ti, V, Mn, Cu, Br, Ba and Dy were determined by short-term instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Short-term epithermal INAA (ENAA) was used for determination of I and other elements, such as Rb, Ag, and U. The elements Na, K, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Hf, Au, Hg and Th were determined by long-term INAA, whereas long-term ENAA enabled determination of several other elements, such as Ni, Ta, W and U. The analytical possibilities of instrumental photon activation analysis (IPAA) using a microtron were also explored and found useful for determination of several additional elements, namely Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, and Pb. High concentrations of several essential and toxic trace elements found (up to hundreds of μg x g-1, dry mass) should be of concern in nutritional studies, because mushrooms form non-negligible part of diet in many countries, especially in Middle and East Europe. (author)