STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF PLEUROTUS MUSHROOMS IN ATMOSPHERES WITH HIGH CO₂ CONCENTRATIONS

Fresh bushels of pleurotus mushrooms grown on straw were stored (+1°C; 94% RH) in atmospheres with different CO₂ and O₂ concentrations. Quality evaluated by sensoric tests was maintained at a higher level when products were stored under enhanced CO₂ concentrations. 30% CO₂ in a mixture with air gave better results than 20% or 10% CO₂. When O₂ content was lowered to 1%, the optimum effect was achieved in combination with 30% CO₂. By this means pleurotus bushels could be kept in acceptable quality for about 10 days. Good results were also found when cooled mushrooms were stored under high initial CO₂ concentrations (e.g. 50%) with subsequent equilibration to normal atmospheric conditions.