The Assessment of Mercury Concentrations in Two Species of Edible Forest Mushrooms, Aureoboletus projectellus and Imleria badia, and Their Impact on Consumers’ Health

In recent years, the consumption of wild mushrooms in Central Europe has significantly increased. These mushrooms are increasingly recognized as a nutritious, low-calorie, and environmentally friendly food option. They are a valuable source of protein and are rich in vitamins and minerals; however, they can also accumulate toxic elements that may pose risks to human health. This study examined the mercury concentrations in the fruiting bodies of two edible forest mushroom species: <i>Aureoboletus projectellus</i> and <i>Imleria badia</i>. This study took into account the distribution of Hg in the two morphological parts of mushroom fruiting bodies-the caps and the stipes. The total mercury content of the mushroom samples was analyzed using an AMA-254 analyzer. Both mushroom species exhibited higher mercury concentrations in their caps than in their stipes, with levels measuring 0.048 mg·kg^-1 dry matter (DM) for <i>Aureoboletus projectellus</i> and 0.055 mg·kg^-1 DM for <i>Imleria badia</i>. The mercury content in the stipes was 0.032 mg·kg^-1 DM for <i>Aureoboletus projectellus</i> and 0.025 mg·kg^-1 DM for <i>Imleria badia</i>. The results obtained indicate that these species do not pose a health risk to consumers in terms of Hg content and can be a valuable addition to the human diet. They are also an indicator of the quality of the forest environment of the central coast of Poland, which should be considered free of mercury pollution.