METAL IMPURITIES IN THREE EDIBLE MUSHROOMS COLLECTED IN ABRAKA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The level of heavy metals in three edible mushrooms (Lentinus squarrosulus, Pleurotus tuberregium, and Psathyrella atroumbonata) growing in the wild in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria, was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Cadmium and lead were not detected in the three mushrooms. Chromium was only detected, but in low concentration (0.07 mg/100 g) in L. squarrosulus. The level of copper ranged from 0.45 mg/100 g in P. atroumbonata to 0.56 mg/100 g in L. squarrosulus. Manganese ranged from 2.89 mg/100 g to 3.75 mg/100 g in L. squarrosulus. Iron ranged from 0.44 mg/100 g in L. squarrosulus to 1.37 mg/100 g in P. atroumbonata, while nickel ranged from 0.14 mg/100 g to 0.48 mg/100 g in L. squarrosulus and P. tuberregium, respectively. The levels of metals detected are higher in the pileus than in the stipe.