Investigation on the uptake of ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and praziquantel by button mushrooms

Button mushrooms are widely produced edible basidiomycetes. Commercially, they are cultivated on substrates containing fermented horse manure and chicken feces. Since pharmacologically active substances (PAS) might be introduced into the food chain via animal treatment, their residues may be present in manure used for mushroom growth. Previous studies in plants have demonstrated an uptake of PAS from the agricultural environment. The present study was performed to investigate the presence of PAS in button mushrooms. For analysis, a multianalyte method for the detection of 21 selected PAS using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry was developed, successfully validated and applied to commercially available button mushrooms. Traces of chloramphenicol were detected in two of 20 samples. Additionally, in a mushroom cultivation experiment an uptake of ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and praziquantel was conducted. Throughout the whole experiment, praziquantel was present in quantifiable amounts in mushrooms and in high quantities in soil.

Automated summary

Button mushrooms, commonly produced edible basidiomycetes, may contain residues of pharmacologically active substances (PAS) due to cultivation on substrates with fermented manure. This study detected traces of chloramphenicol in commercially available button mushrooms, indicating potential contamination in the food chain.