Trace element concentrations in edible wild mushroom samples from Turkey determined by atomic absorption methods using microwave digestion vs. wet ashing

In this study, the trace element concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn in mushroom species were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb by graphite furnace (GFAAS) after wet ashing and microwave digestion. The results show that microwave digestion was best because it is simple, fast, and more accurate than wet ashing. The results were also compared to data reported in the literature. The mushrooms were collected in the middle region of Anatolia, Turkey, having metal concentrations of 21.4 μg/g (Cu), 1.10 μg/g (Cd), 2.81 μg/g (Pb), 74.5 μg/g (Zn), 78.6 μg/g (Mn), 389 μg/g (Fe), 1.30 μg/g (Cr), and 13.2 μg/g (Ni). These levels are allowable limits, except for lead. The concentration of the trace elements in the samples is dependent on the type of mushroom species since some accumulate trace elements at higher levels. The Pb levels in the mushroom samples (some edible) from this region were found to be higher than the legal limit. The accuracy of the method was verified by using certified reference material.