J. Agric. Food Chem.

2001, 49, 2343−2348 2343

Contents of Vitamins, Mineral Elements, and Some Phenolic

Compounds in Cultivated Mushrooms
Pirjo Mattila,*,† Karoliina Könkö,† Merja Eurola,† Juha-Matti Pihlava,† Jouni Astola,†
Liisa Vahteristo,‡ Veli Hietaniemi,† Jorma Kumpulainen,† Meli Valtonen,§ and Vieno Piironen‡
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Food Research, Building L, 31600 Jokioinen, Finland,
Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 27, Building D,
00014 University of Helsinki, Finland, and Pyhäjärvi Institute, FIN-27500 Kauttua, Finland

The aim of the study was to determine the contents of mineral elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cu, Fe,
Mn, Cd, Pb, and Se), vitamins (B1, B2, B12, C, D, folates, and niacin), and certain phenolic compounds
(flavonoids, lignans, and phenolic acids) in the cultivated mushrooms Agaricus bisporus/white,
Agaricus bisporus/brown, Lentinus edodes, and Pleurotus ostreatus. Selenium, toxic heavy metals
(Cd, Pb), and other mineral elements were analyzed by ETAAS, ICP-MS, and ICP methods,
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respectively; vitamins were detected by microbiological methods (folates, niacin, and vitamin B12)
or HPLC methods (other vitamins), and phenolic compounds were analyzed by HPLC (flavonoids)
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or GC-MS methods (lignans and phenolic acids). Cultivated mushrooms were found to be good
sources of vitamin B2, niacin, and folates, with contents varying in the ranges 1.8-5.1, 31-65, and
0.30-0.64 mg/100 g dry weight (dw), respectively. Compared with vegetables, mushrooms proved
to be a good source of many mineral elements, e.g., the contents of K, P, Zn, and Cu varied in the
ranges 26.7-47.3 g/kg, 8.7-13.9 g/kg, 47-92 mg/kg, and 5.2-35 mg/kg dw, respectively. A. bisporus/
brown contained large amounts of Se (3.2 mg/kg dw) and the levels of Cd were quite high in L.
edodes (1.2 mg/kg dw). No flavonoids or lignans were found in the mushrooms analyzed. In addition,
the phenolic acid contents were very low.

Keywords: Mushrooms; nutritional value; mineral elements; vitamins; flavonoids; lignans; phenolic
acids

INTRODUCTION scant. Furthermore, few publications are available

concerning the contents of flavonoids, lignans, and
Mushrooms have been part of a normal human diet phenolic acids in A. bisporus; to our knowledge, there
for thousands of years and, in recent times, amounts are no data on other cultivated mushrooms.
consumed have risen greatly, involving a larger number
Contents of biologically active compounds may vary
of species. In 1997, the annual world production of
considerably in mushrooms. Biologically active com-
cultivated mushrooms was 6.34 million metric tons,
pounds are affected by differences in strain, substrate,
compared with only 4.92 million metric tons in 1994 (1).
cultivation and fruiting conditions, the developmental
In Finland, especially, people living in the countryside
stage of the mushroom, and the age of the fresh
have been interested in mushroom cultivation as a
mushroom sample (3, 4). In addition, the water contents
secondary occupation along with agriculture, or after
of mushrooms naturally affect their nutrient contents
giving up animal husbandry, and many cowsheds have
when the results are calculated on a fresh weight (fw)
been rebuilt for mushroom growing (2). The 4 major
basis. Water contents of mushrooms may vary depend-
cultivated mushrooms in Finland are 2 varieties of the
ing on the cropping and watering conditions during
button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus/white and A.
cultivation (5). Furthermore, there is a significant
bisporus/brown), shiitake (Lentinus edodes), and the
difference in the nutrient contents of pileus versus
oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus).
stalks (6-10). Because of developments in cultivation
Because of increasing mushroom consumption, data
techniques, which in turn affect the nutrient contents
on their nutritional value are needed. However, previ-
in mushrooms, new data are needed. The aim of the
ously published data, especially those concerning vita-
present study was to determine the contents of mineral
mins, are dated because they were generated using
elements, vitamins, and some phenolic compounds in
methods that are now obsolete. In the case of mineral
the major mushroom cultivars in Finland.
elements, the quality of the available information is
better, but the data is still partly insufficient, e.g.,
information concerning mineral element contents of A. MATERIALS AND METHODS
bisporus/brown and L. edodes is respectively missing or
Samples. Samples of P. ostreatus, A. bisporus/brown, A.
bisporus/white, and L. edodes were donated by major mush-
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: 358 room producers in Finland. Developmental stages of the
3 41883235. Fax: 358 3 41883266. E-mail: [email protected]. sample mushrooms paralleled those of normal commercial
† Agricultural Research Centre of Finland. products. Similarly, only pilei with very short stalks were
‡ University of Helsinki. taken as samples. Samples of each species (1.5 kg) were cut
§ Pyhäjärvi Institute. into 1-cm3 cubes, mixed, packed into 300-ml plastic containers

10.1021/jf001525d CCC: $20.00 © 2001 American Chemical Society

Published on Web 04/26/2001
2344 J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 49, No. 5, 2001 Mattila et al.

(50-70 g per container), freeze-dried, and stored at -18 °C. microplate reader (iEMS Reader MF; Labsystems, Helsinki,
Acid-washed containers were used for those samples meant Finland) at 595 nm after mixing for 10 s at 1150 rpm. The
for mineral element analysis. Before every analysis the coefficient of variation of the triplicated made samples was
contents of 1-2 containers were homogenized. Analyses of <10%.
mineral elements, phenolic compounds, thiamin, riboflavin, Niacin and Vitamin B12 Analysis. Niacin and vitamin B12
niacin, vitamin B12, and folates were performed from the determinations were conducted by the National Food Admin-
freeze-dried samples (phenolic acids and lignans were analyzed istration (Box 622, 75126 Uppsala, Sweden). The mushroom
only from A. bisporus/brown, A. bisporus/white, and L. samples were analyzed using Lactobacillus plantarum (ATCC
edodes). In the cases of vitamin D and vitamin C, determina- 8014, niacin) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (CCUG 19776,
tions were performed from the homogenized fresh or frozen vitamin B12).
samples, respectively. All the nutrients were analyzed in Analysis for Flavonoids. Contents of myricetin, eriodic-
duplicate or triplicate. tyol, quercetin, naringenin, luteolin, hesperetin, isorhamnetin,
Vitamin D Analysis. The vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) apigenin, rhamnetin, galangin, tangeretin, and kaempferol
contents of the samples were determined using modified were determined using a method developed by Mattila et al.
methods (11, 12). The fresh mushroom sample (10 g) was (19), a modification of the method of Hertog et al. (20). This
saponified (no internal standard was added), extracted with method included acid hydrolysis and reversed-phase HPLC
a mixture of petroleum and diethyl ether, and after evapora- quantification using diode array detection.
tion was diluted in 2 mL of n-hexane. An aliquot of 500 µL of Hydrolysis of catechins ((-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, (-)-
n-hexane extract was purified using isocratic normal-phase epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, and (-)-epigallocat-
semipreparative HPLC (Perkin-Elmer series 200, Wellesley, echin gallate)) was performed using milder conditions than
MA). After semipreparative purification, the collected fraction those used for other flavonoids: 0.1 mol HCl was used instead
was evaporated and dissolved in 150 µL of water/methanol (7: of 6 mol HCl with hydrolysis for 16 h at room temperature.
93, v/v). A 100-µL amount was then injected into the analytical Catechins were quantified according to the method of Mattila
reversed-phase HPLC system (Perkin-Elmer series 200). Final et al. (19).
quantification was based on an external standard method with Phenolic Acids and Lignans Analyses. Contents of
recovery corrections; recoveries were 80 ( 0.6%. The coefficient phenolic acids and lignans (tr-cinnamic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic
of variation of the triplicated made samples was <10%. acid, vanillinic acid, gentisic acid, tr-o-coumaric acid, proto-
Thiamin and Riboflavin Analysis. The thiamin and catechuic acid, tr-m-coumaric acid, syringic acid, tr-p-coumaric
riboflavin contents of the mushrooms were determined ac- acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, sinapic acid, nordi-
cording to Hägg (13). This method employs the same extraction hydroguaiaretic acid, anhydrosecoisolariciresinol, secoisolar-
and sample preparation for both vitamins, but separate HPLC iciresinol, matairesinol, and chlorogenic acid) were determined
determinations. After acid and enzyme hydrolysis, thiamin using a method developed by Mazur et al. (21) in which base
was oxidized to thiochrome, and the oxidized fraction was hydrolysis was employed (22). This method included enzymat-
purified and concentrated with solid-phase extraction (SPE). ic-, base-, and acid hydrolysis and gas chromatography-mass
Thiochrome and riboflavin were analyzed separately, using a spectrometry selected ion monitoring (GC-MS SIM) quantifica-
reversed-phase column and a fluorescence detector. Quanti- tion using an HP 1 column.
fication was based on the external standard method. The Mineral and Trace Elements Determinations. For
method employed has been accredited, and the laboratory determination of mineral elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P),
follows the standards SFS-EN 45001 and ISO Guide 25. The trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn), and toxic heavy metals
uncertainty of the thiamin and riboflavin methods was 10- (Cd and Pb), dried mushroom samples were digested in
15%. concentrated HNO3. Then, toxic heavy metals were quantified
Vitamin C Analysis. Vitamin C was determined according by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS,
to Speek et al. (14 ) with minor modifications (15). In this Perkin-Elmer Elan 6000), and the other elements were
method, total vitamin C is determined as dehydroascorbic acid. quantified by plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-
Ascorbic acid was oxidized enzymatically to dehydroascorbic AES, Thermo Jarrel Ash IRIS Advantage).
acid using ascorbate oxidase. Then, dehydroascorbic acid was Selenium was determined with 2 different electrothermal
reacted with O-phenylenediamide giving a fluorescent deriva- atomic absorption (ETAAS) methods. For the determination
tive. Quantification of total vitamin C was performed with of low Se concentrations (<0.050 mg/kg) the dried samples
HPLC, using a fluorescence detector. The sample size was 10 were digested in a mixture of concentrated HNO3, HClO4, and
g. The method employed has been accredited, and the labora- H2SO4, reduced to Se(IV), chelated with ammonium pyrrolidine
tory follows the standards SFS-EN 45001 and ISO Guide 25. dithiocarbamate, extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone, and
The uncertainty of the method was 10-15%. measured with AAS (Varian SpectrAA 400; 23). Higher Se
Analysis of Folates. Milled samples (1-2 g) were extracted concentrations (> 0.050 mg/kg) were analyzed without solvent
with 35 mL of extraction buffer (50 mmol Ches, 50 mmol extraction (24). The samples were digested in concentrated
Hepes, containing 2% ascorbate, and 10 mmol 2-mercapto- HNO3, and Se was measured using ETAAS with platinum as
ethanol, pH 7.85) under nitrogen. Capped tubes were placed matrix modifier.
in a boiling water bath for 10 min, cooled on ice, and All the employed methods have been accredited and the
homogenized for 30 s at 13500 rpm using an Ultra Turrax T25 laboratory follows the standards SFS-EN 45001 and ISO Guide
homogenizer (IKA, Staufen). Trienzyme treatment was per- 25. Uncertainty of the methods varied 5-17%, depending on
formed according to Pfeiffer et al. (16) with minor modifica- the mineral element.
tions. Samples were deconjugated at pH 4.9 with 2 mL of hog Moisture Analysis. To obtain moisture contents, samples
kidney conjugase prepared according to Gregory et al. (17). of the mushrooms were weighed before and after freeze-drying.
At the same time, 1 mL of R-amylase (20 mg/mL; EC 3.2.1.1, The residual moisture was determined by drying at 105 °C
A-6211 Sigma, St. Louis, MO) was added, and the samples overnight.
were incubated for 3 h at 37 °C. The pH was then brought to
7.0 with KOH and the samples were incubated with 2 mL of
protease (2 mg/mL; EC 3.4.24.31, P-5147, Sigma) for 1 h at RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
37 °C. The samples were boiled for 10 min to inactivate the Vitamins. Cultivated mushrooms were good sources
enzymes, cooled on ice, and filled to exact volume with
of several vitamins (Table 1), particularly riboflavin,
extraction buffer. The samples were analyzed for total folates
using a microbiological method on 96-well microtiter plates niacin, and folates. However, vitamin contents were
(tissue culture-treated; Costar Corporation, Cambridge, MA) species dependent. The riboflavin contents in mush-
using chloramphenicol-resistant, cryoprotected Lactobacillus rooms were higher than those generally found in
rhamnosus (NCIB 10463) as described by Molloy and Scott vegetables, and in A. bisporus varieties the contents
(18). The optical density of the wells was measured with a were as high as those found in eggs and cheese. L.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Phenolics in Mushrooms J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 49, No. 5, 2001 2345

Table 1. Vitamin Contents of Analyzed Cultivated Mushrooms (mg or µg/100 g)a

mushroom
Agaricus bisporus/white Agaricus bisporus/brown Lentinus edodes Pleurotus ostreatus
vitamin fw dw fw dw fw dw fw dw
vitamin C, mg 1.3 17 1.6 21 2.1 25 1.6 20
vitamin B1, mg 0.05 0.6 0.05 0.6 0.05 0.6 0.07 0.9
vitamin B2, mg 0.39 5.1 0.33 4.2 0.15 1.8 0.20 2.5
folates, µg 35 450 46 590 25 300 51 640
niacin, mg 3.3 43 4.1 53 2.6 31 5.2 65
vitamin B12, µg 0.06 0.8 0.05 0.6 0.07 0.8 0.05 0.6
vitamin D, µg <0.02 <0.02 0.1 1 0.02 0.3
dry matter, % 7.7 7.8 8.4 8.0
a fw, fresh weight; dw, dry weight.

edodes and P. ostreatus contained somewhat lower studied (0.6-0.8 µg/100 g dw). The vitamin B12 in
amounts of riboflavin than A. bisporus varieties. In P. mushrooms probably derives from surface microorgan-
ostreatus, our results were identical (2.5 mg/100 g dry isms. There have been sporadic reports of B12 in
weight (dw)) to those previously reported (2.27-8.97 mg/ mushrooms, with both trace and high levels (0-140 µg/
100 g dw) for Pleurotus (3, 25-28). In addition, the 100 g fw; 35).
results for A. bisporus (5.1 mg/100 g dw) agreed with In addition to vitamin B12, vitamin D was also almost
previous reviews (3.7-5.0 mg/100 g dw). Conversely, the absent in the mushrooms analyzed. Cultivation, and
riboflavin result for L. edodes (1.8 mg/100 g dw) was especially illumination, affects vitamin D2 contents in
somewhat higher than that obtained by Bano and mushrooms because most fungi produce ergosterol, a
Rajarathnam (25, 26; 0.9 mg/100 g dw) and lower than precursor to vitamin D2, under sunlight or UV irradia-
reported in data compiled by Crisan and Sands (27) and tion. According to Mattila et al. (12), wild mushrooms
Miles and Chang (3; 4.9 mg/100 g dw). contained much higher amounts of vitamin D2 (2.91-
All the mushrooms analyzed were rich in niacin. P. 29.82 µg/100 g fw) than dark-cultivated A. bisporus (0.21
ostreatus contained higher levels of niacin (65 mg/100 µg/100 g fw). In addition, L. edodes cultivated under
g dw) than other cultivars. The lowest levels were found natural climatic conditions contained high amounts of
in L. edodes (31 mg/100 g). Results obtained for niacin vitamin D2 ranging from 22 to 110 µg/100 g dw (36T).
correlated with previous reports: L. edodes 11.9-98.5, Mineral and Trace Elements. As compared with
A. bisporus 36.19-57.0, and Pleurotus mushrooms vegetables, mushrooms proved to be good sources of
33.75-108.7 mg/100 g dw (25-27, 29). many mineral elements (Table 2). The bioavailability
Mushrooms contained moderately high amounts of of the mineral and trace elements from mushrooms is,
folates and the contents were of the same magnitude however, questionable. It is evident from Table 2 that
as that generally found in vegetables. In addition, the K and P are the main constituents in the ash. The
bioavailability of mushroom folates appears to be as contents of K were especially high in comparison to Na,
good as that for folic acid, unlike the bioavailability of which is considered to be an advantage from the
folates from some vegetables, such as peas and spinach nutritional point of view. The contents of K and P were
(30). The contents of folates were highest in P. ostreatus lower in L. edodes than in other mushrooms, and the
(640 µg/100 g dw) and A. bisporus/brown (590 µg/100 g Na contents were higher in Agaricus varieties than in
dw), whereas the lowest levels were found in L. edodes L. Edodes and P. ostreatus. These findings were gener-
(300 µg/100 g dw). Higher contents of folates have ally in accordance with original findings by Shah et al.
previously been reported in P. ostreatus (1222-1412 µg/ (37), Verma et al. (38), and Vetter (8, 9, 39), as well as
100 g dw) and A. bisporus (933 µg/100 g dw, 25, 26). data compiled by Bano and Rajarathnam (26), Beelman
Walker (31), however, noted that variation in folate and Edwards (32), Crisan and Sands (27), and Kurzman
contents in A. bisporus can be high: from 20 to 135 µg/ (33). The Na contents were, however, lower in the
100 g fw. present study than in previous studies.
In addition to riboflavin, niacin, and folates, cultivated Calcium was not significantly present in the mush-
mushrooms contained small amounts of vitamins C and rooms analyzed. However, Agaricus varieties, especially
B1, as well as traces of vitamins B12 and D2. The vitamin A. bisporus/white, contained higher amounts of it than
C contents in the mushrooms analyzed were similar, other species. According to Kurzman (33) ordinary
varying from 17 (A. bisporus/white) to 25 mg/100 g dw Agaricus compost contains large quantities of Ca, hence,
(L. edodes). According to published reviews, there is high it was no surprise that analysis of Agaricus showed
variation in the vitamin C contents in mushrooms; e.g., higher amounts of Ca than other mushroom species. It
A. bisporus has been reported to contain 1.44-8.6 mg/ is, however, rather surprising that the levels of Ca
100 g fw of vitamin C (32, 33 ). In addition, contradictory remained quite low. The Ca levels obtained in the
results have been received for P. ostreatus and L. edodes; present study were generally lower than those obtained
according to some reviews they do not contain any previously. However, large variation in the Ca contents
vitamin C (27) but according to others, the contents are has been reported. For example, results of 0.05-0.066
rather high (Pleurotus, 36.4-144 mg/100 g dw and L. g/kg fw (32), 0.015-0.093 g/kg fw (33), 0.23-4.36 g/kg
edodes, 40.4-59.9 mg/100 g dw; 25, 26, 34). dw (27), 15.2 g/kg dw (38), and 2.83 g/kg dw (39) were
The contents of thiamin were quite low in the mush- obtained for A. bisporus.
rooms analyzed and did not vary much (0.6-0.9 mg/ Magnesium represented the third major mineral
100 g dw). These levels, however, were of the same element (after K and P) found in fungal fruiting bodies.
magnitude as those generally found in vegetables. Only Mg levels were similar in all the mushrooms analyzed,
traces of vitamin B12 were found in the mushrooms and were of levels similar to those generally found in
2346 J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 49, No. 5, 2001 Mattila et al.

Table 2. Mineral Contents of Analyzed Cultivated Mushrooms (g, mg, or µg/kg)a

mushroom
Agaricus bisporus/white Agaricus bisporus/brown Pleurotus ostreatus Lentinus edodes
fw dw fw dw fw dw fw dw
Ca, g 0.019 0.25 0.01 0.13 0.001 0.01 0.004 0.05
K, g 3.64 47.3 3.59 46.0 2.98 37.3 2.24 26.7
Mg, g 0.10 1.30 0.11 1.41 0.16 2.0 0.13 1.55
P, g 0.980 12.7 1.01 12.9 1.11 13.9 0.73 8.7
Na, g 0.032 0.42 0.034 0.44 0.01 0.13 0.011 0.13
Cu, mg 2.2 29 2.7 35 0.67 8.4 0.44 5.2
Fe, mg 3.7 48 2.2 28 4.3 54 2.8 33
Mn, mg 0.42 5.5 0.40 5.1 0.89 11 1.74 21
Zn, mg 5.1 66 3.7 47 6.6 83 7.7 92
Se, ug 110 1400 250 3200 12 150 3.3 39
Pb, µg 14 180 2.7 35 1.6 20 3.1 37
Cd, µg 2.8 36 7.5 96 30 380 100 1200
dry matter 7.7 7.8 8.0 8.4
a fw, fresh weight; dw, dry weight.

Table 3. Contents of Phenolic Acids in A. Bisporus (white), A. Bisporus (brown), and L. Edodes (µg/100 g)
mushroom
Agaricus bisporus/white Agaricus bisporus/brown Lentinus edodes
phenolic acid fresh weight dry weight fresh weight dry weight fresh weight dry weight
tr-cinnamic acid 20.7 269 11.5 147 13.4 160
p-hydroxy-benzoic acid 3.9 51 50.3 645 66.4 790
protocatechuic acid <2.3 <30 8.3 106 11.7 139
caffeic acid 6.3 82 5.5 71 <4.2 <50
dry matter/% 7.7 7.8 8.4

vegetables. The Mg contents obtained in this study were analyzed were generally the same as or lower than those
generally in accordance with previous publications (8, found earlier (8, 9, 26, 39, 40-46).
9, 26, 39, 40, 45, 47). The selenium contents in Agaricus varieties were
As in vegetables, Fe was present in low concentrations extremely high (brown, 3.2; white, 1.4 mg/kg dw),
in all the mushrooms. In addition, the bioavailability whereas P. ostreatus contained about 20 times less and
of Fe from mushrooms is questionable because, accord- L. edodes 80 times less than the richer Agaricus variety.
ing to the data compiled by Bano and Rajarathnam (26), Recommended daily allowances for women and men are
contradictory results have been obtained. Previous data 55 and 70 µg, respectively (49), hence, eating 100 g of
concerning Fe vary widely: e.g., A. bisporus has been A. bisporus/brown will fulfill 46-58% of the recom-
reported to contain levels of this element in the range mended amount. However, according to Mutanen (50),
of 2-1280 mg/kg dw (27). using the criteria of plasma Se level or plasma and
The mushrooms investigated were quite good sources platelet GSH-Px activity, the bioavailability of mush-
of Zn and Cu, whereas Mn contents were low. In all the room Se is reasonably low. The Se levels obtained in
mushrooms, Zn was found to be the major trace element, the present study were generally in accordance with the
but the levels of this element were higher in P. ostreatus values reported by Piepponen et al. (51) for A. bisporus
and L. edodes than in Agaricus varieties. On the other and L. edodes (0.45-1.2 and 0.02 mg/kg dw, respec-
hand, Cu contents were clearly higher in Agaricus
tively). Haldimann et al. (43) also obtained higher Se
varieties than in the other mushrooms analyzed. Ac-
results for A. bisporus (1.3-5.7 mg/kg dw) than for L.
cording to previously published data, A. bisporus also
edodes (0.54-0.93 mg/kg dw) and P. ostreatus (0.35-
contains higher contents of Cu than L. edodes and
1.05 mg/kg dw). The Se levels obtained for the last 2
Pleurotus spp (8, 9, 26, 38, 39). The levels of Zn and Mn
mushroom species were, however, higher than those
paralleled previous data (8, 9, 26, 39).
Perhaps the most important question regarding minor obtained in the present study.
elements concerns the amounts of the toxic trace ele- Phenolic Compounds. Phenolic compounds were
ments, Cd and Pb, whose dietary excess may be injuri- absent or their levels were very low in the mushrooms
ous to health. If mushrooms are produced in substrates analyzed. The contents of flavonoids and lignans deter-
in which these elements are present, accumulation may mined were under their limits of detection (0.08-5 and
occur. The Cd contents in the mushrooms studied varied 0.1 mg/100 g dw, respectively). On the other hand,
widely according to the species, and especially L. edodes mushrooms contained low amounts of some phenolic
proved to be the most efficient Cd accumulator. The acids (Table 3), whereas the contents of the other
contents of this element in L. edodes attained the compounds were under the limit of detection (10-200
national limit set for Cd in vegetables (0.1 mg/kg). FAO/ µg/100 g dw, depending on the compound). A. bisporus/
WHO has defined the limit for weekly intake of Cd to white contained lower levels of phenolic acids than the
be 7 µg/kg body weight (48), hence, a person whose other mushrooms analyzed. With regard to A. bisporus,
weight is 60 kg should not eat more than 4.2 kg of L. the results of Herrman (52) and Hertog et al. (20) were
edodes fruiting bodies per week. This amount is quite very similar to ours; according to these studies A.
large, however, and thus overdosing is virtually improb- bisporus did not contain any phenolic acids or fla-
able. The Pb contents of all the mushrooms studied were vonoids. To our knowledge, there is no previous infor-
quite low; the Cd and Pb levels in the mushrooms mation available concerning lignans in mushrooms or
Vitamins, Minerals, and Phenolics in Mushrooms J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 49, No. 5, 2001 2347

concerning flavonoids, lignans, and phenolic acids in (15) Hägg, M.; Ylikoski, S.; Kumpulainen, J. Vitamin C and
cultivated mushrooms, other than A. bisporus. R- and â-carotene contents in vegetables consumed in
Finland during 1988-1989 and 1992-1993. J. Food
Compos. Anal. 1994, 7, 252-259.
CONCLUSION
(16) Pfeiffer, C. M.; Rogers, L. M.; Gregory, J. F. Determi-
Cultivated mushrooms were a good source of vitamin nation of folate in cereal-grain food products using
B2, niacin, and folates. As compared with vegetables, trienzyme extraction and combined affinity and reversed-
mushrooms also proved to be good sources of many phase liquid chromatography. J. Agric. Food Chem.
1997, 45, 407-413.
mineral elements, e.g., the contents of K, P, Zn, and Cu
(17) Gregory, J. F.; Sartain, D. B.; Day, B. P. F. Fluorometric
were considerable. In addition, A. bisporus/brown con-
determination of folacin in biological materials using
tained large amounts of Se, and the levels of Cd were high performance liquid chromatography. J. Nutr. 1984,
quite high in L. edodes. No flavonoids or lignans were 114, 341-353.
found in the mushrooms analyzed, and the contents of (18) Molloy, A. M.; Scott, J. M. Microbiological assay for
phenolic acids were very low. serum, plasma, and red cell folate using cryopreserved,
microtiter plate method. Meth. Enzymol. 1997, 281, 43-
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 53.
(19) Mattila, P.; Astola, J.; Kumpulainen, J. Determination
The authors thank Ms. Susanna Kariluoto, M.Sc., Ms. of flavonoids in plant material by HPLC with diode
Outi Kurri, Ms. Leena Puura, Ms. Riitta Sarkkinen, Ms. array and electro array detections. J. Agric. Food Chem.
Merja Uusitupa, Ms. Tarja Vikman, and Ms. Marja- 2000, 48, 5834-5841.
Terttu Wiisak for their skillful technical help. (20) Hertog, M. G. L.; Hollman, P. C. H.; Katan, M. B.
Content of potentially anticarcinogenic flavonoids of 28
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