Maximum Shelf Life of King Trumpet Mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii)

The preservation duration of king trumpet mushrooms depends on storage conditions and postharvest treatments. Below are optimized protocols supported by food preservation studies (IFT, 2022) and USDA guidelines:

1. Standard Refrigeration

• Temperature: 0–2°C (±0.5°C)
• Humidity: 90–95% RH
• Packaging: Perforated polyethylene bags (5–8 holes/cm²)
• Shelf Life:
  • Whole mushrooms: 12–14 days (weight loss <3%)
  • Sliced mushrooms: 7–9 days (controlled microbial count <10⁴ CFU/g)

Key Factor: CO₂ concentration ≤2000 ppm to prevent anaerobic respiration.

2. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

• Gas Composition: 5% O₂ + 10% CO₂ + 85% N₂
• Film Type: BOPP/PE laminated film (OTR: 3000–4000 cm³/m²·24h·atm)
• Shelf Life:
  • 18–21 days (no visible browning or sliminess)
  • Polyphenol oxidase activity reduced by 65%

Validation: ATP bioluminescence tests confirm freshness (RLU <800).

3. Vacuum Precooling + Freezing

• Precooling: Reduce core temp to 4°C within 30 min
• Freezing: IQF at -35°C → Storage at -18°C
• Shelf Life:
  • 10–12 months (texture retention >80%)
  • No significant nutrient loss (protein ≥92%, polysaccharides ≥88%)

Quality Control: Blanching (95°C/2 min) before freezing inhibits enzymatic browning.

4. Edible Coating Technology

• Coating Formula: 1.5% chitosan + 0.2% nano-SiO₂
• Benefits:
  • Delays cap opening by 5–7 days
  • Reduces respiration rate by 40%
  • Maintains firmness (≥12 N puncture force)