Modified atmosphere packaging and storage of mushrooms

Mushrooms were packed in different polymeric films viz PP, LDPE and Shrink films with three different treatments viz film with perforations, film without perforations and with and without CO₂ flushing under room temperature and refrigerated conditions. The physiological loss in weight and decay increased with storage time irrespective of treatments and temperature. Overall darkening of colour was observed during storage. The treatment with no perforations and without CO₂ flushing under room temperature and refrigerated conditions was found to be the best. Average hardness and fracturability decreased with the increase in size of mushroom and period of storage. The LDPE film under room temperature conditions and PP film under refrigerated conditions was found best. The medium size (34.62 mm head dia) white button mushrooms can be stored in LDPE film for 2 days at room temperature. The same mushroom can be stored in PP film under refrigerated conditions for 5 days.