Cadmium and Lead Content in Selected Fungi from Poland and Their Edible Safety Assessment

Mushrooms are able to accumulate toxic trace elements. This study investigates the content of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in selected species of fungi (Boletus badius, Boletus edulis, and Cantharellus cibarius) from the northeastern part of Poland and estimates their edible safety. The amount of Cd and Pb was determined by flameless atomic spectrometry using the iCE 3000 Series-Thermo. The mean content of Cd in analyzed mushrooms ranged from 0.370 to 2.151 mg/kg d.w., while Pb was found at the level of 0.243–0.424 mg/kg d.w. Boletus edulis was characterized by the highest content of Cd, whereas Cantharellus cibarius contained the biggest amount of Pb. Estimated exposure to the Cd intake expressed as percentage share in TWI (Tolerable Weekly Intake) was at the highest level in Boletus edulis (30.87%), which could be associated with the risk of excessive Cd accumulation in the body.

Functional Properties of Fruits of Common Medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) Extract

Common medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) is a long-lived plant with hard fruits, which are harvested in the fall and stored in cold and dark places. The aim of the work was to obtain the extract from freeze-dried fruits of medlar. Then, the samples were purified on a column with Amberlite XAD-16 ion exchange resin (two fractions were obtained and tested in further steps: methanol (MF) and water (WF)). A quantitative analysis of the polyphenolic compounds and selected elements was performed. In addition, in vitro tests of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of the extracts were carried out. The applied methodology included the determination of antidiabetic activity by diffusion method, antioxidant activity by ABTS and FRAP methods, elemental analysisby atomic spectrometry, and quantitative and qualitative determination of phenolic composition by UPLC method. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the MF of the medlar preparation, which was 245.31 μM Trolox/g (in ABTS test). Both fractions showed positive antidiabetic effects. For WF, even a small concentration of 1 mg/mL DMSO, the percentage of α-amylase inhibition was 35%. The WF dominated in terms of the total content of phenolic compounds (mainly gallic, procatechic, chlorogenic, and ferulic acids).

Passive and Active Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Aerosol with the Use of Mosses

The aim of the carried out research was passive and active biomonitoring of woodlands in the Opole province. Pleurozium schreberi mosses were used during the research, in which the following heavy metals concentrations were determined: Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. Concentrations were determined with absorption atomic spectrometry (AAS). On the basis of the carried out research, concentrations of heavy metals in moss samples used in the passive and active biomonitoring methods were compared. The obtained results indicate that Pleurozium schreberi mosses can be successfully used in both passive and active biomonitoring, however, these methods should not be used interchangeably in a defined study area. On the basis of carried out research it was determined that the applied biomonitoring methods can be supplementary.

Changes in Cadmium Concentration in Muscles, Ovaries, and Eggs of Silver European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) during Maturation under Controlled Conditions

This study determined the contents of cadmium (Cd) in the muscles, ovaries, and eggs of silver female European eels. The analysis of cadmium content was performed on female European eels caught during commercial fishing in freshwater in Warmia and Mazury (Poland), and then subjected to artificial maturation and ovulation processing under controlled conditions. The content of cadmium (Cd) in the tissues was determined by flameless atomic spectrometry using an electrothermal atomizer. The analysis showed statistically significant differences between the cadmium content in the muscles, ovaries, and eggs (p < 0.05) of female European eels. The lowest cadmium content was found in the muscle tissue (0.0012 ± 0.0001 mg kg−1 wet weight) and the highest in eggs (after ovulation) (0.0038 ± 0.0007 mg kg−1 wet weight). Moreover, a relationship was found between the cadmium content in the muscle tissue and the ovaries (R = 0.673; p = 0.0117) in the same fish. The movement of cadmium from tissues to oocytes may indicate a significant problem concerning this heavy metal content in the reproduction of European eel.

Can the Application of Municipal Sewage Sludge Compost in the Aided Phytostabilization Technique Provide an Effective Waste Management Method?

(1) Background: sewage sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment, which needs to be managed appropriately, e.g., in composting processes. The application of municipal sewage sludge composts (MSSCs) as a soil amendment is a potential way to effectively manage sewage sludge. (2) Methods: this paper presents the results of a vegetation pot experiment undertaken to assess the suitability of Dactylis glomerata L. and MSSC in the aided phytostabilization technique when applied on soils from an area effected by industrial pressure; this is characterized by high levels of heavy metal (HM). The contents of HMs in the test plant (the roots and above-ground parts), as well as in the soil and MSSC, were determined via an atomic spectrometry method. (3) Results: the application of MSSC positively contributed to an increased production of plant biomass and an increase in the pH in the soil. Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cr were higher in the roots than in the above-ground parts of Dactylis glomerata L. The addition of MSSC contributed most significantly to the considerable reduction in Ni, Pb, and Zn contents in the soil after the experiment. (4) Conclusions: MSSC can support the phytostabilization of soils contaminated with high levels of HMs.

Atomic spectrometry update – a review of advances in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and its special applications

This review covers developments in and applications of XRF techniques such as EDXRF, WDXRF, TXRF, XRF microscopy using technologies such as synchrotron sources, X-ray optics, X-ray tubes and detectors, in laboratory, mobile and hand-held systems.