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1353793 
Journal Article 
High selenium levels in edible Albatrellus mushrooms 
Stijve, T; Noorloos, T; Byrne, AR; Slejkovec, Z; Goessler, W 
1998 
1 
Deutsche Lebensmittel-Rundschau
ISSN: 0012-0413 
94 
8 
275-279 
WOS:000075452400006 
A survey of 36 samples of terrestrial polypores, representing 12 species (6 belonging to the genus Albatrellus) were analysed for the trace element selenium using instrumental neutron activation, hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry and fluorimetric methods. High concentrations of selenium, up to 367 mg/kg dry weight, were measured in Albatrellus pes-caprae, a popular edible mushroom in Italy, which is almost forgotten elsewhere in Europe. Albatrellus ellisii, a related edible species from the Pacific Northwest and California was found to concentrate similarly high levels. Both mushrooms also contained unusually high amounts of iron (up to 4360 mg/kg dry weight). Other Albatrellus, Boletopsis and Grifola species only had moderate to low selenium levels. The significance of these findings and the possible toxic action upon consumption of these mushrooms is briefly discussed. It is pointed out that hyperaccumulating Albatrellus present an unique material for investigating the nature of the selenium compounds present.