Influence of homogeneous magnetic field on the content of ten trace elements in stipe and cap oyster mushroom (Pleurotus Florida)

ABSTRACT: Although a small amount of trace elements is essential for vital processes of edible mushrooms, in excess they could pose a threat to the human society’s health. This survey was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and three replications, on the effect of homogeneous magnetic fields on the trace elements, Pb, Fe, Zn, Ni, Ag, Hg, V, As, Cd and Co, contained in the florida type of oyster mushroom. Fungus treatments involved 500g bags of oyster mushroom’s seed (seed plant coated with spawns) were exposed for 5 hours to uniform magnetic fields with inductions of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mT. Then under controlled and highly standard conditions all the seeds were bag cultivated and after 30 days harvested. Being weighed and dried out, in the first pick, from each bag one single mushroom was selected as sample, which was analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) tool. There was no arsenic, cobalt, cadmium in the samples. A decline in the concentration of vanadium, mercury, silver, and iron was occurred by a rise in intensity of the magnetic field. At 15 mT zinc and lead increased but decreased at 20 mT. Zinc and iron had the highest concentration in the mushroom’s stipe and cap respectively. Although previous findings recommend a 20 mT intensity of magnetic field for industrial cultivation of edible mushrooms, this, in time, will lead to a considerable decrease in the concentration of trace elements in oyster mushroom.