Abstract
BACKGROUND: Agaricus blazei Murrill has become a popular food source of high nutritional and medicinal value in many Asian countries. However, there are growing health concerns on cadmium (Cd) accumulation by A. blazei. Experiments were conducted to investigate Cd accumulation patterns in A. blazei and to identify key factors contributing to Cd accumulation.
RESULTS: Cd concentrations in the substrates and subsequent fruit bodies declined rapidly after the first, second and third harvest wave. A quick rinse of the fruit bodies in water reduced the Cd concentration by 27β54% depending on the strain. The Cd concentration in the fruit bodies decreased as the fruit body yield m^β2^ or fruit body number m^β2^ increased, while it increased as the substrate Cd content or fruit body size increased. Cd accumulation was positively associated with phosphorus (P) uptake.
CONCLUSION: The results suggests that, in the A. blazeiβgrowing region studied, Cd and P concentrations in the substrates and casing soil should be reduced in order to effectively minimise Cd accumulation in the fruit bodies. It is also necessary to improve fruit body yield by increasing the number of mediumβsized fruit bodies. Overgrowth of individual fruit bodies stimulates Cd accumulation in A. blazei. Copyright Β© 2008 Society of Chemical Industry