IMPROVEMENT OF SHELF LIFE AND POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF WHITE BUTTON MUSHROOM BY ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION

This project was carried out to study the effect of five different doses of electron beam irradiation, including 0 as control, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kGy on the shelf life and postharvest quality of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). The experiment was conducted using an electron beam accelerator (ESS-010-03) and measurements were made during 1st, 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th day of storage at 4C and 80% relative humidity. There was a significant difference between irradiated and nonirradiated (control) mushrooms in different indices. The mushrooms irradiated with 2 and 4 kGy contained more phenolic content than that irradiated with 0, 0.5 and 1 kGy. The irradiated mushroom showed the highest total antioxidant capacity, but vitamin C content significantly decreased in treated mushroom. There was a significant difference among irradiation doses on mushrooms L*, a* and b* values over 8, 12 and 16 days at cool storage. Mushrooms irradiated with 1 and 2 kGy appeared to have more L* value than other treatments. Furthermore, mushroom irradiated with 2 kGy had relatively the lowest electrolyte leakage over storage times. The highest protein content was found with 4 kGy. The data increased the current understanding of the effects of electron beam irradiation on the biochemical changes associated with postharvest senescence and should lead to more targeted strategies for reducing postharvest quality loss in A. bisporus.