Copper and Zinc bioaccumulation and bioavailability of Ganoderma lucidum

GONZÁLEZ MATUTE, RAMIRO; SERRA, A.; FIGLAS, DÉBORA; NÉSTOR CURVETTO

JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD

MARY ANN LIEBERT INC

Lugar: New Rochelle, NY ; Año: 2010

1096-620X

Ganoderma lucidum is a widely recognized medicinal mushroom. The bioaccumulation and potential bioavailability of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), which are essentials for human health, were analyzed on G. lucidum mycelium and fruitbodies grown in the presence of these metals to test their potential utility as a food dietary supplement. Mycelia grown in culture medium with non-mycotoxic doses of Cu or Zn (25 and 50 mg kg-1) were selected for evaluation of the bioavailability of these metals in the gastrointestinal tract by using an in vitro simulated digestion system. One-gram dried mycelium grown in the presence of 50 mg kg-1 Cu or Zn showed a bioavailability of 19 % Cu and 2 % Zn of the recommended daily intake (RDI). When fruitbodies were evaluated, the highest biological efficiency (23 %) was reached when the substrate was enriched with 100 mg kg-1 Cu. Cu and Zn content obtained either before or after fruitbodies digestion from all metal enriched treatments was substantially lower than those from metal enriched mycelia. The metal bioavailability was also low: 1.5 % of the Cu RDI and almost negligible for Zn. The results are discussed in relation to the RDI values exhibited by two commercial supplements and the potential incorporation of these mineral-enriched mycelia/fruitbodies in capsules, infusions and dietary supplements is evaluated.