Extending the shelf life of edible button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) by edible coatings on the basis of natural polymers

In recent years, edible coatings have been extensively used for extension shelf life of fruits and vegetables. In this research, the effect of washing with citric acid (1%w/v) followed by coating with different concentrations of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC;1, 1.5 and 2% (w/v)) in combination with ascorbic acid (AA; 1, 2 and 3% (w/v)) on postharvest quality of button mushrooms when stored at 4  for up to 15 days was studied. After treatment, mushrooms weight loss, soluble solid content, firmness, color, microbial and sensory quality were evaluated at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 15 days of storage. The result indicated that coating reduced weight loss and delayed changes of soluble solid content and color compared to uncoated control mushroom. Coatings had not remarkable effect on firmness of mushrooms. Sensory evaluation showed that the shelf life of mushrooms increased from 8 to 15 days. Washing with citric acid reduced total bacteria, yeast and mold counts. Among different coatings the combination of CMC 2% and AA 3% was more effective.