Quality of White mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) under argon- and nitrogen-based controlled atmosphere storage

This study was conducted to identify effective CA (Controlled Atmosphere) gas compositions for the storage of white mushrooms. We analyzed the quality characteristics of mushrooms inside argon-based and nitrogen-based CA storage. Mushrooms were stored under 5 different gas compositions in a chamber for 9 days at 4℃. The CO₂ production, weight loss and color change in 90% argon gas was lower than that of all other samples at the end of the storage period. Further, the samples in a CA retained their hardness during the 9-day storage time, unlike the control. The viable count of aerobic bacteria showed the highest value under the control condition. The smallest viable count of Pseudomonas spp. was detected under 75% nitrogen condition. Polyphenol oxidase activity was lowest under 75% argon condition. In summary, a 90% argon gas was shown to be the most effective at preventing deterioration in mushroom quality.