Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Postharvest Storage of Mushrooms. A Review

Production and consumption of edible mushrooms have grown continuously in the last fifteen years, particularly due to interest in their nutritional and health benefits. The three most cultivated mushrooms worldwide are Agaricus bisporus (common mushrooms), Lentinus edodes (shiitake) and Pleurotus spp. (oyster mushroom). Mushrooms are highly perishable. They tend to lose quality right after harvest, mainly because of their high respiration rate and the fact that they have no barrier to protect them from water loss. Mushrooms’ shelf-life is limited to a few days under normal refrigeration conditions, which is a constraint on the distribution and marketing of fresh product, making extension of mushroom’s shelf life a constant quest. Modified atmosphere packaging has been used for postharvest storage and commercialization of mushrooms. This technology alters the normal composition of air to provide an appropriate atmosphere in order to decrease product’s respiration rate, microbial growth and physiological disorders, which leads to preservation of product’s quality and an increased shelf life. However, modified atmosphere packaging conditions should be carefully designed. Inappropriate modified atmosphere conditions may be ineffective or even shorten the shelf life of the product due to damage of tissues. Reported results for modified atmosphere packaging of mushrooms depend on the mushroom species considered. In this paper, the use of modified atmosphere packaging for mushrooms, specifically for Agaricus, Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus, is reviewed. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________