Abstract: The contents of arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in white Hypsizygus marmoreus sold in the market of Guangzhou were determined by microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MD-ICP-MS) and compared with those in other edible fungi (Lentinus edodes, Agaricus blazei and Pleurotus ostreatus). The potential health risks of heavy metals in these edible fungi to adults and children were evaluated by the target hazard quotient method target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ). The results showed that the MD-ICP-MS method exhibited a good linearity with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.999 5 for As, Pb and Cd within the concentration range of 0–100 μg/L. The recoveries from spiked samples were from 98.84% to 100.92% indicating good repeatability. The average content of heavy metal in white H. marmoreus was lower than that in L. edodes, A. blazei and P. ostreatus, and it was the highest in A. blazei. The contents of As and Cd in these edible fungi were higher than the national standard limits. Our data indicated that the various mushrooms had significantly different abilities to accumulate heavy metals and there were risks of Cd and As contamination for these mushrooms. The THQ values of As and Cd were higher than 1 and the TTHQ values of the three heavy metals were also higher than 1. The health risk of heavy metals in white H. marmoreus and the other three kinds of edible fungi to adults and children was mainly caused by As, followed by Cd. These results suggested that controlling the heavy metal contents in the cultivation materials, soil and wate is of important and practical significance for ensuring the safety of edible fungi. This study will provide a scientific theoretical basis for the development of processed white H. marmoreus products and for quality and safety evaluation.

Key words: white Hypsizygus marmoreus; microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry determination; heavy metals; health risk assessment