Evaluation of cadmium accumulation in pink oyster mushrooms cultivated on the cadmium contaminated substrates and health risk analysis

Pink oyster mushrooms are rich in protein, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals, making them a great addition to any diet. However, pink oyster mushrooms have the ability to accumulate high concentrations of heavy metals, some of which, such as cadmium, can cause adverse effects on human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of pink oyster mushrooms to absorb Cd from substrates contaminated with Cd and to assess the human health risks associated with the consumption of these mushrooms. An experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design and included four treatments (four Cd contamination levels i.e. 0, 20, 50 and 100 mg.kg-1) with three replications. Cd accumulation in mushrooms increased with increasing Cd content in substrates and ranged from 1.8 mg.kg-1 (non-contaminated substrate) to 23.8 mg.kg-1 of dry mass (substrate contaminated with 100 mg.kg-1 of Cd). On the other hand, total mushroom yield showed a decreasing trend with increasing Cd levels in substrates. The results of the present study suggest that pink oyster mushrooms possess the capability to absorb Cd from the substrate in which they grow. The obtained results for target hazard quotient (THQ) of Cd point to the conclusion that the consumption of mushrooms cultivated on the Cd-contaminated substrates could produce negative health effects.