Effect of Modified Atmosphere (MA) Packaging on Glutathione and Some Other Qualitative Parameters of Hiratake Mushroom

Abstract

The effects of modified atmosphere (MA) packaging on the qualitative parameters, i.e. the maintenance of glutathione (an antioxidant), retardation of cap development, and the suppression of disease and mycelial growth during post harvest storage of hiratake mushroom at 15°C using microperforated OPP film, PVC film overwrapped tray, and ordinary OPP film packages were studied. During the first experiment, low O₂ (1.0 to 1.6%) and high CO₂ (17 to 18%) resulted in maintenance of glutathione and other qualitative parameters of hiratake mushroom. During the second experiment, the MA of 15.5 to 16.5% O₂ and 4.5 to 5.5% CO₂ inside microperforated OPP film and that inside the ordinary OPP film packages were beneficial for the post harvest preservation of hiratake mushroom, compared to the control packages. Cap development was slower for hiratake mushroom packaged in tray and OPP film packages. Among the different packaging treatments, mushrooms packaged in microperforated OPP film had the highest amount of condensation within the packages during their storage.