Effect of Ethylene Scavenging-Active Packaging on Quality and Shelf Life of Button Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an ethylene absorber (zeolites) in a packaging material on the shelf life of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Mushrooms were packaged under a passive modified atmosphere in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags with or without zeolites. Alongside the unpackaged control, three treatment groups were stored at 4°C and 50% RH for 16 days. Headspace gas composition, physical (weight loss, color and texture), chemical (pH, total soluble solids) and sensory analyses were carried out every 4 days of cold storage. Mushrooms packaged in LDPE bags without zeolites and LDPE with zeolites showed almost no significant change in weight during the storage time whereas the unpackaged mushrooms reached almost 20% weight loss by the end of the storage. Sensory attributes for mushrooms packaged in LDPE bags without zeolites and LDPE with zeolites were also still acceptable after the 8th day while unpackaged mushrooms lost their acceptability by day 4. Although no mentionable difference in shelf life was observed between samples packaged in LDPE bags without zeolites and LDPE with zeolites when physical, chemical and sensory properties were considered, the active material was better than the control material in terms of color, with less browning index and higher whiteness index.