PDFDospatliev L., Ivanova M., Lacheva M. & Radoukova T. 2018.
Morchella esculenta (L.) growing in Bulgaria: chemical profile and hazard index
Bulgarian Chemical Communications, 50(4): 538–544
Abstract
Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers. (morel) is one of the most widely appreciated wild edible mushrooms. The mushroom Morchella esculenta has long been known for its medicinal properties, especially its health-promoting effects, including antioxidant activity, hepatoprotective activity, antimicrobial properties and antitumor effect. Morchella esculenta is rich in carbohydrates (79.06 g 100 g-1 dw), followed by proteins (11.19 g 100 g-1 dw), ash (7.32 g 100 g-1 dw) and fat (2.43 g 100 g-1 dw). Also moisture (89.41%), and total energy (1624.14 kJ 100 g-1 dw) were calculated. The concentrations of heavy metals: Pb (0.28 mg kg-1), Cd (0.10 mg kg-1), Cu (0.18 mg kg-1), Co (0.28 mg kg-1), Zn (0.82 mg kg-1), Ni (0.46 mg kg-1), Cr (0.28 mg kg-1), Fe (17.01 mg kg-1), and Mn (0.96 mg kg-1), were assayed in Morchella esculenta. Hazard index values were calculated for children: 1-3 years old (0.665), 3-10 years old (0.347), 10-14 years old (0.186), 14-18 years old (0.131) and for adults ˃ 18 years (0.230). According to this study, the edible wild mushroom Morchella esculenta could be used in human nutrition due to its good parameters. Heavy metal content of samples indicated that the Batak mountain is an ecologically pure region in Bulgaria, and therefore the mushrooms collected from this location could be consumed without any risk for human health.
