Elemental composition of wild growing Agaricus campestris mushroom in urban and peri-urban regions of Transylvania (Romania)

The Agaricus campestris mushroom widespread in the metropolitan areas could be an alternative food source to the cultivated and widely commercialized Agaricus bisporus. Our aim was to elaborate the elemental profile of the A. campestris in the urban and peri-urban environment, and to determine the levels of some highly toxic elements. The A. campestris coming from urban green areas had high concentrations of Ca (1600 ± 1000 mg kg−1 dry matter), Fe (200 ± 109 mg kg−1 dry matter), Na (3900 ± 2200 mg kg−1 dry matter), and those growing in the peri-urban meadows were rich in Ag (70 ± 24 mg kg−1 dry matter), Cu (96 ± 21 mg kg−1 dry matter) and S (5600 ± 460 mg kg−1 dry matter). The cultivated A. bisporus was rich in K (44000 ± 3800 mg kg−1 dry matter) and P (14000 ± 1500 mg kg−1 dry matter), but poor in essential minerals. Based on the provisional weekly intake values given by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations for As, Cd and Pb the regular consumption of the A. campestris in 300 g weekly amounts is safe.