Comparison of element content of dried mushrooms: Auricularia polytricha from Japan and China and Auricularia auricula-judae from China

Abstract

Production and consumption of jelly fungi, such as Auricularia auricula-judae and Auricularia polytricha, have increased over the past decade. Both of these mushroom species are customarily classified as "kikurage" in Japan. Of those distributed in Japan, 90% are imported from China. This study focuses on the elemental composition of Auricularia species commercially available in Japan (A. polytricha from Japan and China, and A. auricula-judae from China), attempts to identify their elemental characteristics, and investigates the risk assessment of domestic mushrooms. For 20 elements, the content differed significantly depending on mushroom species and geographic origin. Levels for 19 of the 24 elements studied were the highest in A. auricula-judae from China. Major elements (K, Mg, P, and Ca) were higher in A. polytricha from Japan, and elements such as Fe, Mn, Cr, Al, and Pb were higher in A. polytricha from China. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the content of many elements was more influenced by species than geographic origin.